Seeds of Affliction

“Seeds of Affliction” draws inspiration from the Zika virus, transmitted through an infected mosquito's bite. Beyond mosquito transmission, Zika can be passed from pregnant women to their unborn children, often resulting in severe, life-altering birth defects.

While Zika's effects on newborns are physical, the concept of being afflicted by circumstances before birth extends far beyond biology. Factors such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographical location significantly shape a newborn’s future before they even take their first breath. Like the transmission of the virus, the burdens and struggles from previous generations are passed down to us, influencing our lives before we ever enter the world.

In translating this idea onto canvas, I depicted the virus as bright orange orbs, representing seeds that burrow into the molecular fabric of these unborn children. The soft blue hues that ebb and flow across the painting symbolize their fleeting innocence and purity, gradually fading as they are born into a world already laden with inherited burdens.

Ultimately, this piece explores the profound impact of generational burdens and how they shape the lives and futures of those who follow.