HUNTER VS. THE LION KING

For this painting, I added a personal touch to the subjects’ typical gestures, drawing inspiration from David, the shepherd in the Bible, and from one of the comic strips I created. Through a body of work fueled by my relationship with communication, I aim to capture the audience’s attention so that they focus on the message conveyed by this painting. My intention for this piece was to show the audience my visual interpretation of African folktales. When we look at the two subjects, we perceive the use of chiaroscuro and personal brushstrokes—defined as traces of energetic brushwork—to evoke a sense of unease and terror on the bodies of the Hunter and the Lion King, as well as in the foliage. Furthermore, the use of multiple colors creates greater contrast, as if they (the Lion King and the Hunter) were actually in a space where their presence is felt (shadows, light, etc.). What we realize is that the battlefield is not primarily the one depicted in the painting; the lion’s wounds indicate that the fight had been taking place long before this final outcome. As a result, this work also aims to encourage the audience to reflect on this scene, to create a story in their minds, and so on.