Crossroads confronts the viewer with the oppressive realities of our contemporary world. A vast, abstract background awash in dark blues evokes the feeling of an uncertain future. Streaks of fiery orange, layered and dripping, imply fervent emotions - triggered by existing in a place where one's values are under assault. ----- Yet, from this chaotic darkness, a beacon of hope emerges. A yellow sun, unwavering and bright, peeks through the figure, suggesting that no matter how oppressive the world may seem, the potential for light and progress always exists. ----- The central figure is a powerful enigma. Standing tall on a foundation of stones, it embodies resilience in the face of adversity. The cloak, adorned with crosses, carries a complex message. While it hints at a system of control or oppression, the blurred faces etched into the cross tips introduce a layer of ambiguity. Are these faces the lost souls of the oppressed, or the distorted expressions of the oppressors themselves? ----- The figure's departure insinuates movement away from a place of conflict or towards a safer haven. Its arm, protectively reaching around a smaller, child-like figure, evokes images of a guardian shielding the innocent. Despite the vibrant colors throughout the piece, the faces of the figures are rendered in stark black, white, and grey. This sharp contrast draws the viewer's focus to the emotional core of the work – the fear for the future and the fierce determination to protect the vulnerable. ----- Crossroads is a deeply personal statement that resonates with the political and social turmoil of our times. It is a call to confront the darkness, to stand up for what we believe in, and to protect those most vulnerable in the face of oppression.