"The Cure"

This piece is intended to provoke thought and a deeper analysis on the realities and possibilities of what’s happening in the world today. Inspired by the organ harvesting of Africans happening worldwide and the use of Africans as “test dummies” to find a miracle cure or vaccine for COVID-19 and past viruses/diseases. The water, the literal symbol of life, represents many things depending on how you view it and depending on whether you look at the syringe as harvesting or injecting. This interpretation is up to the viewer. Since the ideas and innovations of Black people are constantly stolen and manipulated, the water could represent the knowledge, wisdom, or life force of Black people and an outside force could be extracting that “water” to use for an alternate agenda. Or, this life force could be being injected with a “cure” by the alternate agenda of the outside force that is harming to the mind, body, and soul. There are many more ways to interpret the relationship between the water and the syringe. Also, virus cells were put into the background and given eyes looking at the viewer to give the painting more of an unnerving feel and almost be saying “you’re next” to the onlooker. Though a grim depiction of today’s events, this piece is putting situations that are generally overlooked, such as organ harvesting, right in front of the viewers face and encouraging discomfort. The overall purpose of The Cure, is to encourage a deeper analysis of alternate agendas and inspire a greater control of our minds, bodies, and souls whether that’s through spreading awareness or even social upheaval.