Pictures, paintings, and all works of art are not just images created to sit and look pretty. These works of art speak to its audience through life experiences, memories, and deep feelings. In the artwork below, I argue that the artist is painting an image for the children in a low economic country with a message that children want a better, happier life. In order for the children to have this, the community needs to become safer and cleaner. 

At first glance, the picture is an artwork on a wall; it is graffiti. The wall has been recently painted, because the sounding two walls are much dirtier. This particular work is not the only graffiti, there is more on either side. There are vines hanging out from the wall. The wall itself is cracking even with the new coat of paint on. The streets below have dirt and trash along the edges. All of these small details play a role in the message the artist is trying to get through to the people living around here.  

Graffiti in some cultures is referred to as vandalism or a sign of gang art, although, other cultures embrace it as art. This type of art is the first thing that stuck out to me. This particular setting shows the culture embracing the art, or the community might not have the means to remove it. The vines above the wall and the dirty ground and walls also tie into the not having the means, or the money to fix this part of the town up. Also, the authority of this community might be leaving this side of town out in the dust and not respecting or caring for the people living in this part. This results in a low economic part of the town or country which is what the artist is showing. 

Another aspect of this image is on the other wall of graffiti of a baby boy in a bucket. The baby looks to be in a bucket instead of the baby being washed in a sink inside of a baby bath tube. This is another depiction of the low economic society shown through in a piece of work. The community is not caring for the youth in the ways they should be. Money and authority are issues corresponding to the community that are reflected and addressed in the artwork. Another part of this graffiti is the boy’s facial expression. He is frowning and unhappy for a baby. 

Aside from the minor details, the major part of this entire piece is the young boy. He is pulling down the wall and finds a rainbow on the other side. Although the rainbow is there, he is not attempting to approach the rainbow, instead he is taking it in. The boy’s body is turned toward his city/home sowing his loyalty, but also what he is striving for in his home. Rainbows are a symbol for love, togetherness, and the promise of rebuilding and not destruction. I believe the rainbow is there to symbolize a better place to live; hope of a nicer community. From his surroundings, the details provide a clear case that the community is in poverty or close to it. 

This image appeals to the audience’s emotions by incorporating a child. A child is the closest thing to innocence and they are the part of a community that needs the most support, love, and assistance. Painting the main subject of the artwork as a child speaks to the audience because without children there is no longer a growing community. Therefore, the community must take care of itself and the children by cleaning the streets and homes. If the community is cleaner and becomes safer, the environment around the people will live a happier life. 

Emotions and specific messages can be brought out in a picture, painting, or any type of artwork. The artworks speak to different audiences depending on their past experiences, memories, and how the audience thinks about issues. The following image of graffiti, I argue, is relaying a message from the artist to the community and/or country that something needs to change. The way children are being raised and treated are not how they should be. The community around the children should be a safe and clean place to be nurtured and raised. With a clean and safe place, children are able to live a happy life and not be scared. 

