Twice A Child

24″ x 46″ x 28″
Mixed medium
1998

Twice A Child

Unlike “Once a Man”, there is no underlying philosophical nor social statement being made here, other than the appeal to children and to the child in each of us.

As a result, “Twice a Child” may well be making the most profound statement of all!

The artist’s motivation in developing this piece is perhaps the greatest testimony to the joy, the colour and the unbridled fun that it brings.

When the artist’s first-born twin boys had to be hospitalized for a simple procedure, he was moved by the pain and loneliness experienced by children with more serious ailments. The gargantuan task faced by the inadequate number of nurses who were called upon to mother, tend and care for these young people in pain also touched and motivated.

The artist noted that there was nothing to relieve that starkness of the ward.There were no toys. The walls were bare; not a picture, no smiling face other than those of the overburdened nurses.

Thus was “Twice a Child” born; out of a collection of broken and discarded (and shh! stolen) toys which belonged to his twins.It is a miniature amusement park.The artist has since had the joy of seeing eagerness, happiness and interest on the faces of some children, who were fortunate to see this piece on display at a Children’s Hospital Ward.