Portraits

Beg
Oil on canvas
8″ x 8″

This small oil realistic painting captures a critical moment in the life of a young girl whose fate has been dictated by the strict and oppressive norms of her society. Set against a dark background, the girl stands alone in her wedding dress, her face dishevelled and makeup smudged as if she has been crying uncontrollably.

The painting is a powerful representation of a society that denies its citizens the freedom to express their sexuality and imposes arranged marriages on young people who have different sexual identities, regardless of their desires or inclinations. The girl’s ruined makeup and the forlorn expression on her face suggest a deep sense of despair and hopelessness as if she is begging for her last chance to be free.

This painting speaks to the limitations and homophobia that are rampant in certain cultures and societies, and the toll they take on the lives of individuals who are denied the basic right to love and be loved on their own terms. Through this work, the artist invites viewers to reflect on the importance of individual liberty and the devastating consequences of denying it to others.