Pictures, paintings, and all works of art are not necessarily meant to merely 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 more safe and clean. 

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 on the wall. There are other works on either side and vines hanging out from the top of the wall. The wall itself is cracking even with a 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 and to the world.   

Graffiti, in some cultures, is referred to as vandalism or a sign of gang art, whereas, other cultures embrace it as art. This type of art is the first thing that stuck out. This particular setting shows two things: how the culture embraces the art, or how the community might not have the means to remove it. The means of the community are further explained by the vines above the wall and the dirty wall and ground. It also shows the authority of this community might be leaving this side of town out in the dust and not 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 comes from the other wall of graffiti of a baby boy frowning in a bucket. The baby looks to be in a bucket instead of being washed in a sink inside of a baby bath tub. This is another depiction of the low economic society shown through in a piece of work. This could result from the community not caring for the youth the way they should be. Money and authority are issues corresponding to the community and are reflected and addressed in the artwork. Another part of this graffiti is the boy’s facial expression; he is portrayed with a frown. This shows how the children are unhappy. 

Aside from the minor details, the major part of this entire piece is the young boy. The young boy is pulling down the wall to find a rainbow on the other side. Although the rainbow is there, he is not attempting to approach the rainbow, but instead he takes it in. The boy’s body is turned toward his city/home showing his loyalty, and also what he strives 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 represent a better place to live; the hope for a nicer community. From the 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. The innocence is gone. 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 works of art speak to different audiences depending on their past experiences, memories, and how the audience thinks about issues. The following image of graffiti, I argue, relays 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. 
