Unveiling my new painting: The Persistence of Hope

I'm delighted to share my latest painting, ‘The Persistence of Hope’.

This self-portrait emerged from a place of frustration, reflection, and, ultimately, optimism. Like many people, I have found myself watching the news over the past few years with a growing sense of helplessness. Images of war, displacement, famine, and political conflict arrive on our screens daily. Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, Iran, and countless other regions appear in the headlines, flashing past in a blur on my newsfeed.

In England we place great importance on remembrance. We commemorate past conflicts yearly with sadness, and ensure school children are well-versed in the horrors of WW2, yet war continues to shape the lives of millions around the world. I began to wonder what it means to witness these events from afar. What responsibility do we carry? How do we respond when the scale of suffering feels too vast to comprehend?

‘The Persistence of Hope’ is my attempt to explore these questions.

The painting takes the form of a self-portrait, but the figure is intended to be more than simply myself. She is partially inspired by Justitia, the Roman goddess of justice, whose blindfold traditionally represents impartiality and fairness. Here, the blindfold takes on a dual meaning. It references justice, but it also reflects a very human desire to look away from the relentless cycle of troubling news and imagery that surrounds us.

Five poppies frame the figure, bringing to mind In Flanders Fields bloodshed, but also natural beauty and growth. A halo of barbed wire sits behind her head, combining the visual language of sanctity with the realities of conflict and barriers. Draped down from her shoulders are collaged newspaper articles reporting on wars and attacks.

Yet despite being surrounded by motifs of war and remembrance, the figure remains vivid, defiantly so. Bold, beautiful teal and vibrant pinks, yellows, oranges, and blues cut through the darkness of the subject matter. Rather than being consumed by the darkness of the headlines, she stands out amongst them.

The title arrived late in the process. I wanted something that acknowledged both the gravity of the subject and the possibility of moving forward. ‘The Persistence of Hope’ reflects the belief that hope is not a passive feeling but an active choice. It is something that endures despite uncertainty, despite grief, and despite the seemingly endless cycle of conflict that fill our newsfeeds.

This painting does not offer answers. Instead, it sits with the discomfort of witnessing, while holding onto the possibility that compassion, collective action, and hope still matter.

Digital moodboard that was shared to Instagram during the making of this piece