"The subject matter of child soldiers is transformed into vibrant paintings to give a stronger reaction than the original image of the child in the field. The haunting image of the child is meant to overpower the viewer into understanding the plight of over 2,500 children in arms around the globe. The idea is explored further in representational installments depicting the enticement of war and the destruction of innocence and life. The ultimate objective is to influence the viewer to support goups such as UNICEF and the Coalition Against the use of Child Soldiers.
Painting from real photographs, the work speaks of the suffering of human kind throughout the ages. Bright, contrasting neon colors reinforce the ideas of the sources, imitating night vision and negative photography. These paintings act as a media source by reaching out to the public to help my subjects.
-Serafima Sokolove