The "Sugar Coated" series is a provocative and visually engaging collection of paintings that explores contemporary social dilemmas and identity struggles. Using the recurring motif of sweets, chocolatey goods, and desserts, each painting presents a deceptively appealing aesthetic, mirroring the "sugar-coated" falsehoods that permeate modern society. The luscious treats symbolize the lies and narratives that, while pleasing on the surface, mask the bitter truths lurking beneath. The series unfolds in three distinct parts, each tackling a critical aspect of our collective experience:
Part I: " Sweet Validation"
This segment delves into the challenges faced by young people in the digital age. It examines their dependency on social media as a platform for validation and self-expression while grappling with issues of self-esteem and body image. Here, the glossy allure of desserts mirrors the curated perfection of online personas, contrasting starkly with the insecurities and struggles hidden behind the screen. This part critiques the superficial solutions offered by influencers, algorithms, and quick-fix culture, exposing the emotional and psychological toll of chasing societal approval.
Part II: "Divided "
The second instalment tackles the volatile nature of human interaction, both online and offline, in response to complex social and political issues. It highlights how false propaganda and relentless desensitization fuel division and hostility, leaving people polarized and quick to attack without fully comprehending the intricacies of these problems. Here, the sugary imagery represents the oversimplified narratives and instant gratification of reactionary behaviour, obscuring the nuanced reality beneath.
Part III: "Sweet veneer"
The final part offers a deeply personal perspective on the role of women in society, focusing on the polarizing views surrounding this topic. Drawing from lived experiences, this segment explores themes of empowerment, expectation, and identity. The desserts in these works take on new symbolism—both as representations of societal expectations placed on women and as a commentary on the tension between traditional roles and modern aspirations.
Thematic Core
At its heart, "Sugar Coated" is a critique of how society consumes and perpetuates falsehoods. Whether in the pursuit of validation, the rush to judgment, or the imposition of roles, the series urges viewers to peel back the sugary veneer and confront the more challenging realities underneath.
Part I: " Sweet Validation"
This segment delves into the challenges faced by young people in the digital age. It examines their dependency on social media as a platform for validation and self-expression while grappling with issues of self-esteem and body image. Here, the glossy allure of desserts mirrors the curated perfection of online personas, contrasting starkly with the insecurities and struggles hidden behind the screen. This part critiques the superficial solutions offered by influencers, algorithms, and quick-fix culture, exposing the emotional and psychological toll of chasing societal approval.
Part II: "Divided "
The second instalment tackles the volatile nature of human interaction, both online and offline, in response to complex social and political issues. It highlights how false propaganda and relentless desensitization fuel division and hostility, leaving people polarized and quick to attack without fully comprehending the intricacies of these problems. Here, the sugary imagery represents the oversimplified narratives and instant gratification of reactionary behaviour, obscuring the nuanced reality beneath.
Part III: "Sweet veneer"
The final part offers a deeply personal perspective on the role of women in society, focusing on the polarizing views surrounding this topic. Drawing from lived experiences, this segment explores themes of empowerment, expectation, and identity. The desserts in these works take on new symbolism—both as representations of societal expectations placed on women and as a commentary on the tension between traditional roles and modern aspirations.
Thematic Core
At its heart, "Sugar Coated" is a critique of how society consumes and perpetuates falsehoods. Whether in the pursuit of validation, the rush to judgment, or the imposition of roles, the series urges viewers to peel back the sugary veneer and confront the more challenging realities underneath.
Sweet Validation
Social Media Butterfly
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
Selfie Queen
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
Share, Like Follow
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
Follower
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
Early Adopter
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
80cm x 60cm
Oil on canvas
Divided
"The Yellow Case" is a painting that combines a chocolate rifle pointing at the viewer with an array of surrounding sweets, all set against a vibrant yellow background symbolizing jealousy and vanity. This surreal scene critiques the superficial values promoted by society, suggesting that the sweets represent the lies and false promises fed to us by big pharma and corporations. The chocolate rifle symbolizes our ignorant defence mechanisms and the constant jealousy that plagues online interactions, highlighting the vanity and entitlement prevalent in modern society. The painting challenges viewers to look beyond the surface and question the motives behind the glossy images and sweet promises that dominate our lives.
80cmx60cm oil on canvas
80cmx60cm oil on canvas
"The Blue Case," the image of a machine gun made of chocolate surrounded by sugary goods serves as a powerful metaphor for the deceptive narratives fed to the public. The sweets symbolize the allure of political lies and gaslighting — the way misinformation is presented in a palatable, seemingly harmless manner, but ultimately used to manipulate and control. The colour blue, traditionally associated with trust and authority, underscores the theme of politics, highlighting the deliberate crafting of trust through media and political discourse. The painting reflects the growing divide among people, whether online or in real life, as they fiercely wield their own "sweet weapons" of misinformation, fuelled by the biased and often inflammatory narratives they consume. These symbolic weapons are as hollow and temporary as chocolate, yet potent enough to incite anger and conflict. The sugary goods further represent the false promises and manipulations of political leaders, who, regardless of their affiliation, often engage in deceit once they rise to power. Through this lens, "The Blue Case" comments on the cyclical nature of political lies: no matter the side, the public is continuously fed narratives designed to distract and divide, while those in power continue to deceive.
80cmx60cm oil on canvas
80cmx60cm oil on canvas
"The Green Case," a sugary, chocolate covered gun stands against a sickly green backdrop, surrounded by tempting sweets. The green represents greed, corruption, and financial crimes. The sweets symbolize sugar-coated lies from the mainstream media, corporations and governing bodies covering them up, and the gun symbolizes our online and in real life outrage. This satirical piece invites us to question the motives behind these deceptions and our own reactions to them.
80cmx60cm oil on canvas
80cmx60cm oil on canvas
"The Pink Case" painting depicts a chocolate rifle, an unconventional object, surrounded by a variety of sweets. The use of pink in the painting is symbolic, representing the pervasive influence of identity politics in our society. The sweets, in contrast, represent misleading information and propaganda disseminated by mainstream media, pharmaceutical companies, corporations, and governing bodies. The chocolate rifle, with its sweet exterior, symbolizes the often uninformed and aggressive comments and responses from individuals online and in real life.
80cmx60cm oil on canvas
80cmx60cm oil on canvas
Sweet veneer
The painting "Twisted," presents a surreal depiction of a woman contorted in shape, symbolizing the confusing and often conflicting expectations placed on women in contemporary society. Her figure, exaggerated and distorted, captures the struggle many face in moulding their identities to fit these unattainable ideals. The two doughnuts she is turning away from serve as a potent metaphor for the sugary false narratives propagated by government, educators, and society at large. The treats reflect the seductive nature of these misleading messages, illustrating how they can obscure the true essence of womanhood. The painting aims to comment on the complexity of identity and the societal pressures that shape it.
92cm by 73cm oil on canvas.
92cm by 73cm oil on canvas.
"Strangled" is a powerful painting from my Sugar Coated series portraying a woman suffocating by layers of chocolate and cream, symbolizing the overwhelming and shifting false political narratives surrounding women’s issues. Her direct gaze towards the viewer pleads for help, reflecting the exhaustion of women who are constantly used as political talking points around the world. The work critiques how these narratives are manipulated for political gain, leaving women to struggle, adapt, and live under relentless scrutiny. Every move, no matter how ordinary or extraordinary, is amplified and analysed, capturing the exhaustion and frustration of being endlessly controlled and judged.
92cmx73cm oil on canvas
92cmx73cm oil on canvas
"Subjugated," aims to convey the suffocating feeling of being boxed in and labelled in various spheres of my life. The 'dark' imagery depicts the oppressive nature of societal expectations and the disingenuous rhetoric of empowerment propagated by those in power. I challenge the viewer to confront the stark reality of the female experience in a world that claims to champion women but ultimately perpetuates their subjugation.
92cmx73cm oil on canvas
92cmx73cm oil on canvas
"What is a Woman" is a thought-provoking piece that symbolically represents the ongoing struggle of women as their rights are gradually eroded. The faceless, patchwork figure embodies the dehumanizing treatment of women as mere visual objects, secondary to other priorities in society. The image's neglect by law, government, education, and media highlights the false narratives that contribute to the deconstruction and loss of identity faced by women today. This artwork serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges women face in the modern world.
92cmx73cm oil on canvas
92cmx73cm oil on canvas
"Watch Me Disappear" is a painting where a woman's stern face fades into the canvas, symbolizing the erasure of female identity. Two doughnut outlines represent the hollow promises and superficial narratives fed to society, highlighting the cyclical misrepresentation of women. This artwork invites reflection on visibility versus erasure in modern female identity.
92cmx73cm oil on canvas
92cmx73cm oil on canvas
"Married to Ideas," presents a hauntingly beautiful bride standing in a dreamlike, her gaze introspective and guarded. She wears a white wedding gown. Peeking subtly from the folds of her dress, two doughnuts rest against her chest, hidden yet conspicuous, symbolizing the stubborn, circular narratives that she clings to—ideas that remain unchallenged despite their emptiness. Her posture is rigid, almost defensive, as though she is protecting these symbolic beliefs, unwilling to let them go even as they weigh her down. In her eyes is a mixture of pride and quiet defiance, capturing the human ego's fierce reluctance to accept vulnerability or admit error. Around her, the background is blurred, representing the constructive discord and growth that lie just beyond her grasp, clouded by her refusal to relinquish her flawed ideas. The tones of the painting are muted, with soft shadows encircling her figure, reinforcing a sense of isolation. This isolation, a consequence of being "married" to fixed beliefs, underscores the broader theme: that an unwillingness to question ourselves can ultimately stifle growth, keeping us disconnected from others and from the dynamic exchange of ideas that fosters true understanding.
92cm by 73cm oil on canvas
92cm by 73cm oil on canvas
"Valkyrie," a powerful female figure commands attention with her proud expression, radiating resilience and determination. Her eyes are fierce, embodying an attitude of strength and refusal to surrender. The raw energy of her portrait aims to capture the essence of a modern-day Valkyrie, a warrior not just in battle but in the fight for identity and freedom.
Notably, the image features a severed arm, a metaphor for the compassion and inclusivity often expected from women, yet ultimately exploited by society. This serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience required in the face of such injustice.
In a surreal twist, a doughnut rests in the wound of the severed arm, symbolizing the lies and false narratives that permeate discussions around female spaces and rights. This highlights how these narratives can distract from genuine struggles, masking the deeper issues at play.
Valkyrie's face is adorned with thick, war paint, a vivid representation of everlasting defiance and pride. Together, these elements create a visual commentary on women's resilience, compassion, and the ongoing struggle for autonomy in a world that often seeks to undermine them.
116cmx89cm, oil on canvas
Notably, the image features a severed arm, a metaphor for the compassion and inclusivity often expected from women, yet ultimately exploited by society. This serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience required in the face of such injustice.
In a surreal twist, a doughnut rests in the wound of the severed arm, symbolizing the lies and false narratives that permeate discussions around female spaces and rights. This highlights how these narratives can distract from genuine struggles, masking the deeper issues at play.
Valkyrie's face is adorned with thick, war paint, a vivid representation of everlasting defiance and pride. Together, these elements create a visual commentary on women's resilience, compassion, and the ongoing struggle for autonomy in a world that often seeks to undermine them.
116cmx89cm, oil on canvas
"Who We Once Were," captures the poignant dichotomy of dreams and reality through a visual narrative. The foreground features a woman with a weathered face, her expression etched with regret and the weight of unfulfilled aspirations. Emerging from the back of her head is a vibrant, youthful version of her, radiating pride and hope, symbolizing the dreams that once fuelled her spirit. The contrasting imagery speaks to the universal experience of growing up with ideals and creativity, only to be stifled by societal pressures and expectations symbolised by doughnuts in front of her. The painting invites viewers to reflect on the narratives we construct, often using excuses like age or lack of time to justify abandoning our dreams. It challenges us to confront the dissonance between who we are and who we aspired to be, urging a re-examination of the paths we choose and the possibilities that still lie within reach.
116cmx89cm, oil on canvas
116cmx89cm, oil on canvas
"Lost" is a thought-provoking painting that portrays a distorted, mutated figure with a head composed of three donuts, symbolizing the struggle with identity and the lies perpetuated by mainstream media, educational institutions, and governing bodies. The figure's distorted form and the lifeless colours used throughout the piece create a bleak and disorienting atmosphere, reflecting the hopelessness and confusion felt by those grappling with their sense of self in a world that constantly challenges and undermines personal values.
80cmx80cm oil on canvas
80cmx80cm oil on canvas
"Immersed" is a surreal and thought-provoking painting that portrays a young girl submerged in a sea of sugary pastries. These confections envelop her body, symbolizing the false narratives and damaging influences society exposes children to at an early age. The girl's expression is a mix of innocence and confusion caught between the allure of the sweets and an unspoken sense of entrapment. The painting serves as a metaphor for how societal pressures and distractions can overwhelm young minds. The pastries represent the superficial, easy-to-digest messages children are fed, while they become lost beneath the weight of it all, struggling to maintain their curiosity and innocence. It also critiques how children are left to navigate a complex, sometimes dangerous world without guidance, their natural curiosity suppressed by institutions like educational ones that prioritize conformity over exploration.
80cmx60cm oil on canvas
80cmx60cm oil on canvas