Yevheniia • 17 • Monaghan

16-18 Category   •  2026
The painting depicts a bear and a tiger in a circus — a place that is outwardly associated with celebration and entertainment, but which, in the context of the work, becomes a symbol of the loss of nature and freedom. These two powerful wild animals are confined beneath the circus dome, far removed from their natural habitat. Their bodies are present, but the nature to which they belong is absent. The bear and the tiger embody strength, independence, and the primal power of the wild. In the circus, however, these qualities are suppressed: their movements become rehearsed, their gazes empty or tense, and the space artificial and restrictive. The contrast between the animals’ inner essence and the environment in which they are forced to exist highlights the cruelty of human control over nature. In this painting, the circus functions as a metaphor for a society that turns living beings into objects of consumption and entertainment. Bright lights and decorations intensify the sense of falseness, masking the suffering hidden behind the spectacle. Nature is presented here not as a landscape, but as a living force trapped in a cage. The central message of the painting is a protest against the use of animals in circuses. In my painting I wanted to raise the question: does humanity have the right to deprive wild nature of its freedom for the sake of pleasure? The work invites the viewer to reflect on the cost of entertainment and to consider that the true beauty of nature can only be revealed where it is free. This painting serves as a reminder that nature should not be subordinate to humanity, but deserves respect, protection, and the right to exist on its own terms. My process involves a thick application of gouache and oil pastels to build physical depth and texture. Through the use of bold colour and structured, blocky strokes, I aim to elevate the animals as the undisputed stars of the piece, capturing their essence in a way that is both striking and paramount.