Oil and charcoal on canvas board
2024

This portrait captures a candid moment during a family gathering, featuring my niece reclining on the sofa, deeply engrossed in her phone. The motivation behind choosing this specific scene for depiction arises from my interest in its portrayal of a familiar facet of contemporary life. This painting offers an observational narrative on the prevalent and inseparable connection that characterises our generation’s engagement with digital technology, social media, and the virtual world on the internet in general.

The subject is tightly framed within the composition, highlighting a sense of confinement within a digital space as well as isolation from the physical world. The smartphone, held with a degree of intimacy, is a key element, referencing the omnipresence of digital technology in society. The painting invites viewers to contemplate the evolving nature of human interaction within the context of digital technology’s pervasive influence, forming their own perspectives on the intriguing, symbiotic relationship between individuals and the digital landscape.