The forest acts as their place of escape and youthful freedom where the three children can play as their imaginations lead the way, this is symbolised by their part animal appearance (bunny ears on the hoody and monkey-like ears of the child on the car). But already there are problems; in the middle of the composition sits a burnt out car probably stolen and abandoned, maybe even by and older sibling and offering a glimpse to where children’s paths could lead. A life which would send them back to the tower block in which they came, thus completing the cycle of social deprivaty which is so readily on display in areas of South Wales. I hope the picture asks; How long can one hold on to the innocence of youth? What does it take for someone to break this cycle? and therefore, are the children’s playful/aggressive behaviour towards the burnt out car an act of defiance against their possible fate or a sign of violent times to come? For me the image is also a distant memory, a fairy-tale portrait of boyish youthfulness and mischief amongst the trees and abandoned joy rides.
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Lovely, thought provoking drawing.
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