Two Paintings On Poverty

Matina Vossou • 4 October 2022

"Auction For A Society's Death" (Empty Eyes)


Acrylic on cardboard, 50cm X 40cm (2021)


Poverty and disparity are the main enemies of every society. Our glorious and advanced civilization has reached to a point that cannot only eliminate massively populations but also their habitats, whether urban or rural, an annihilation of all natural resources.
In my painting, 6 newborns are left to die on the desiccated soil. Their skin is cracked like the dried out earth.



The boat called “Egestas” (Poverty in Latin) has been abandoned on the dry ground and isn’t going anywhere. One baby carries and shows us a sign that water is prohibited. The new generation has been condemned to fatal thirst and eventually to death. They are trying to catch a breath inside this furnace. Silently and without any objection they are obeying.
Maybe they were born on this dryland or maybe they have migrated from their ruined homeland because of war or extreme hunger. There is always the irony that people that come from degraded land areas lose their life by crossing the sea while trying to find a better life.
The gavel hammer represents justice but also is the symbol of auctions. So many lives sold for a low value bid; the more the cheaper. No future for the newborns that are dying on the parched, arid soil. Their eyes are blind, empty like their life which won’t wait for them anymore. The hourglass is full of their eyes instead of grains of sand to symbolize that time is running out and that the dark end is near.



From the huge luxurious faucet a diamond appears, blue and precious like water. That won’t quench nobody’s vital desire for some clean water. It is the cost for all the lives that have been wasted and for those which will be lost, a price that somebody powerful will collect. There is always a cause, an opportunity and a profit behind every catastrophe that humans orchestrate.



This apocalypse is hitting hardest the poor and densely populated countries; they pay the highest price: tortured by civil wars and paucity, starvation and horrible living conditions, robbed by big companies of their natural resources, sentenced in perpetual ignorance and fatalism because of their non-existent educational system and being governed by corrupted politicians, who are in fact employees of the same big corporations and their interests.
However, nowadays it seems that things have gone out of hand completely. Everybody’s life is being threatened by all this destructive mess. Nobody is safe. Nature’s destabilization is moving rapidly.



The next following years will be crucial as they will determine whether is going to be a future for us or not. Soon enough we will get our answers.

“A Tourist Attraction Of An Unoriginal Sin”
Acrylic on canvas, 40cm X 30cm, (2022)

And then, one morning, as I come out to go to work, I see a poor man sleeping on a pile of
garbage bags. He is using one of those as a pillow. He is sound asleep, surrounded by various unwanted things. I stand motionless for some seconds and then walk away. My guilt and my continuing education in hypocrisy, has made me numb and paralyzed to take any action.


That man was sleeping next to the waste containers just under my balcony. I have been living my entire life in a poor, working class neighbourhood but the crisis has made things really unbearable. Unemployment and tremendous inflation have taken away not only the food from the table but also people’s dignity.

There had been a Greek commercial advertising all the beautiful destinations here. Oh yes, the splendid islands, one might think. Travelling is fun! No one wants to see a country’s misery or famished citizens stumbling and begging.
And then I thought what if they start advertising poverty as a spectacle? As the financial gap between the rich and the poor grows bigger, this would make an interesting sight. Of course, this tourist suggestion can apply in every country; the only real frontier is money.

In my painting, two rich tourists are smiling in front of a homeless guy. Their exciting dog is photobombing for a lovely family picture. The lady has an aristocratic flair while her husband has a more vulgar style. The pacifier stands for his childish behavior. Both of them seem completely indifferent. They are the clean ones that keep their distance with playful vanity and thick-skinned apathy. Probably they count their blessings and thank their god for their fortune.

The street has a peculiar name; it is a phrase from the ancient Eleusinian mysteries that we still use it in our Modern Greek language as it is. It means “the Disrespectful ( also the Filthy) Ones Stay Away From Here”. It is a sacred place, where you don’t belong.

Two parallel worlds that are crossing time but never crossing themselves. The infected ones are exiled to live in deprivation. Devalued like garbage, tossed away along with other used up and broken goods. An empty detergent bottle gave a promise for a Clean World. A letter was sent out with the word Alas in Latin. Someone bit an apple and someone else threw away a plug. They look like the serpent and the forbidden fruit. Poverty is the (Un) Original (societal) Sin. No surprise in the rotation of a spinning top on the vagrant’s back like a predetermined destiny. And maybe a nemesis will explode just like an Orsini bomb sometime.

by Daniel Agra 7 September 2025
Daniel Agra is Spanish artist of abstract and fine art photography. In the artistic field his work is defined as subjective, experimental and conceptual expressionist visual poetry, with a profound imaginative capacity and endowed with strong intuition. Defined by a resounding individual and experimental personal mark that allows him to mentally project a great deal of his compositions with a language and style full of symbolism. The defined perception and emotional depth of his work should be highlighted reflecting his interest in the subconscious, abandoned methods, dialogues and conventional and traditional photographic narratives which transcend their state to be symbolised in a deep analysis, to be recreated into a poetic frontier between the material and the spiritual, between man and the environments he inhabits, distinctive elements that emphasise the communicative character in his allegorical symbology and relative to the inner world, raising it to levels of evocative spirituality in transcendental and vindictive themes, on the existential importance of the individual in his creative freedom, a personal form of contemporary expression that does not bow to the established norms, an archetype through a vocabulary with meticulously selected images and iconographies. Over time, his works have achieved wide appreciation, recognition and international dissemination. The more than 50 awards and international honour mentions of photography that he has achieved during his career should be emphasised, he has shown his work and participated in exhibitions across various countries, as well as published in assorted media and international art guides. His work can be found in national and international museums, foundations and private art and photography collections. 
by Tension & Release: A Spontaneous Series Born from Stillness 10 August 2025
This ten-piece body of work, created on fine art paper (21 x 14.5 cm), explores the emotional and societal tensions that shape our collective experience. Using acrylics, graphite, and charcoal pencils, each painting captures dynamic movement through vibrant palettes—juxtaposing warm and cool tones to evoke contrast and conflict. Black graphite and charcoal lines cut through the compositions like fractures, symbolizing resistance, boundaries, and the desire to break free from imposed limitations. The negative space, softly blended with graphite, adds depth and quiet intensity, while ghost markings—my signature underpainting technique—linger beneath the surface, hinting at unseen histories and layered emotions. These subtle traces speak to the persistence of memory and identity, even when obscured.
by Sahar Hasan 25 July 2025
Sahar Hasan is a artist and curator whose work brings hidden emotions and overlooked stories into view. Her practice moves between painting, mixed media, and curation, always tracing the quiet spaces where memory, identity, and heritage meet.
by Victoria Moses 24 July 2025
Victoria Moses: Grand Era  Victoria Moses, born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1990, is a student at the Art Academy Hamburg, where she engages with diverse artistic media, including painting, sculpture, and digital art. Her work is characterized by a profound exploration of perception and identity search, focusing on the relationships individuals establish within society. Through her use of both vivid, figurative oil paintings and monochromatic charcoal drawings, she examines how people integrate or distance themselves in various social contexts, adopting different roles that shape their self-expression and interactions. Her latest series, Grand Era, is deeply influenced by her experience working on an ocean liner - an enduring symbol of intercontinental connection as it was in the early 20th century. Within this series, Moses portrays individuals navigating multiple societal roles, shifting fluidly between personal and professional identities. A single person may simultaneously function as a professional, a family member, a friend, and a community participant, with each role reflecting distinct expectations and responsibilities dictated by their environment. Through these themes, Moses explores the complexities of human adaptability and the intricate balance required to meet the demands of social existence. Her art contributes to broader discussions on identity, social roles, and the evolving nature of interpersonal relationships.
by Grant Milne 24 July 2025
Critics Review: The artist's exceptional talent is evident in their masterful control of watercolour, a medium notorious for its difficulty. The painting demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of light and atmosphere, using the medium's transparency to create a luminous, hazy glow over Piccadilly Circus. This is expertly contrasted with the sharp, dramatic shadows, showcasing a remarkable ability to create depth and a sense of time. The seemingly effortless washes of colour for the background and the energetic brushstrokes for the performers perfectly balance delicate subtlety with bold expression, a clear sign of a highly skilled watercolorist. Furthermore, the artist excels at capturing the emotion and energy of the scene, not just its physical form. The dynamic poses and loose, impressionistic style of the musicians suggest movement and rhythm, as if the music is about to pour from the frame. The artist has a rare gift for distilling the essence of an urban scene—its constant motion and the unexpected joy of a street performance—and conveying it with a powerful sense of atmosphere and narrative. This ability to imbue a painting with such a strong sensory experience is a true testament to their talent. Critics - Grant Milne - Founder of Artist Talk Magazine
by EMOTION IN EVERY LAYER 4 July 2025
Laurențiu STROE is a Romanian painter known for his raw, expressive style and textured surfaces. His artwork stands out through thick layers of paint, powerful brushstrokes and pallette knives, and a strong emotional presence. Using the impasto technique, STROE applies paint so heavily that it creates a sculptural texture, adding depth and movement to the canvas.
by Mahfam Barzegarpour 5 June 2025
I am a Birmingham-based artist whose work explores spiritual and emotional landscapes through fluid forms and layered textures. Through my paintings, I seek to express feelings and inner states that words cannot easily convey. I developed my practice through studying Fine Art, where I began to explore the interplay of texture, movement, and the sense of presence in painting. 
by Angelo Asaro: 4 June 2025
Angelo Asaro is an Italian artist based in London. His journey bridges engineering and art: after earning a Master’s degree in Engineering and building a successful career as a Product Manager, he eventually followed his true calling — art. This transition allowed him to combine analytical precision with deep creative expression. Angelo’s work fuses surrealism and symbolism with strong conceptual depth, drawing inspiration from literature, philosophy, and psychology. His art has been exhibited internationally in galleries, art fairs, and virtual showcases, and has appeared in publications such as British Vogue, Vanity Fair, and leading art blogs. In 2024, he was a finalist in the ArtGemini Prize and the Zari Art Prize, both celebrating exceptional contemporary talent. He was also selected for the XV Florence Biennale and the London Art Biennale 2025, two of the most respected international exhibitions of contemporary art. Tell us about yourself. How have your roots and experiences shaped your artistic vision? My work is deeply rooted in the exploration of the human condition — the emotional, social, and philosophical threads that define who we are. My visual language combines symbolism, surrealism, and contemporary narratives, all rendered with meticulous attention to detail. My creative vision has been shaped by a rich tapestry of influences — literature, philosophy, artistic movements, and a deep investigation of psychological and existential themes. Growing up in Sicily — a land of powerful contrasts, layered histories, and a profound cultural legacy — played a fundamental role in my artistic development. The island’s literary and cultural heritage often centred on themes like identity, solitude, and the fight against social injustice, has greatly influenced the emotional and conceptual core of my work. This background fuels my desire to create art that resonates on both personal and universal levels — inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences and the intricate web of connections that shape our world. How would you define your artistic style, and what themes are central to your work? My style is a hybrid of surrealism, symbolism, and elements of pop art. I often use vivid colours, precise detail, and unexpected juxtapositions to blur the boundaries between reality and imagination. The result is a visual language that’s both accessible and layered — inviting viewers to look closer, then think deeper. At the heart of my work are recurring themes: the search for identity, the fragility of existence, and the tension between individuality and conformity. 
by ERNESTO ARTIG 28 May 2025
Breaking the Frame: Art, Emotion, and Connection By Ernesto Artig As an abstract artist, I work from the inside out. My process is intuitive, raw, and rooted in emotional truth. Each painting begins as a conversation—between parts of myself, between tension and release, between what’s visible and what’s felt. I use mixed media to layer meaning and texture, letting each piece evolve organically until it speaks with its own voice. But for me, the art experience shouldn’t stop at the canvas. That’s why I founded the Connecting Conditional Art Movement (CCAM). What is the Connecting Conditional Art Movement (CCAM)? CCAM is a response to how disconnected the art world—and often the world itself—can feel. At its core, it’s about creating emotional bridges between people through the artwork they collect. Each piece within CCAM exists in dialogue with a counterpart. When a collector acquires one of these works, they agree to share their contact details with the buyer of its companion piece. In doing so, they become part of a living network—a community connected not just by ownership, but by shared resonance. This movement invites us to look at art not as a commodity, but as a conduit. A spark. A starting point for something more human. Below are four examples of paintings that are part of the CCAM. Each one holds its own emotional and visual language, but also reaches outward—toward its counterpart, and toward you.  If you’re an artist who feels aligned with the ethos of the Connecting Conditional Art Movement and would like to contribute your own paired works, I invite you to get in touch. You can reach me at hello@ernestoartig.com .
by Ahmed Partey 28 May 2025
In the vibrant and ever-evolving landscape of Ghanaian contemporary art, Ahmed Partey stands out as a visionary whose work offers a profound meditation on ancestry, identity, and transformation. Based in Accra, Partey’s practice spans painting, pastel, sculpture, wood carving, and immersive digital technologies—including virtual and augmented reality. At the center of it all is a guiding philosophy he calls Afro-Ancestral Spiritualism: a worldview that reimagines West African spiritual heritage through a symbolic, surrealist lens. Rooted in Ritual, Reaching Toward the Unseen Partey’s work emerges from deep engagement with traditional African visual systems—particularly Ga Samai, a sacred symbolic language of the Ga-Adangbe people of Ghana. Since 2017, he has expanded this lexicon from 30 to nearly 100 symbols, breathing life into what he calls “speechless voices”—nonverbal forms that transmit ancestral wisdom across generations. His figures are elongated, mask-like, and rendered in charged states of stillness or transformation—guardians of memory who exist somewhere between the spiritual and the surreal. These figures are not portraits, but vessels: containers of emotion, myth, and psychic memory. His compositions, shaped by Ghanaian cosmologies and folklore, collapse time and space.