From Ruins to Renewal: The Legacy of Learning


These two paintings powerfully convey a narrative of ruin, transformation, and continuity.

The top painting, one of my earliest works, though modest in execution, depicts a dilapidated block of three classrooms. The structure appears weathered, with a broken roof, visible cracks, and missing sections. Tall trees loom over the scene, suggesting nature’s slow reclamation of the space. Damaged blue doors and windows, along with fallen logs in the foreground, evoke a sense of abandonment and decay. The overall atmosphere speaks of memory, loss, and the passage of time.

In contrast, the bottom painting presents a modernised version of the same structure, now rebuilt. The walls are neatly plastered and painted, the roof is intact, and the classroom doors and windows are fully restored. The scene is brighter and more orderly, with a row of trees in the background hinting at both continuity and growth. This version symbolises renewal, progress, and the enduring importance of education.

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