The Perilous Path to Purpose



Medium: Acrylic on canvas board
Size: 16" x 20"
Year: 2025

This painting is a visual metaphor inspired by the Yoruba proverb, "If you wait for the road to be safe, you will never arrive." It explores the tension between fear and courage, warning and willpower, and the ever-present reality of uncertainty on the road to fulfillment.

The central figure at the bottom of the painting, cloaked in red and labeled “Determined,” walks toward an intimidating ascent where danger is boldly signposted. Above her looms a giant, symbolic guardian, part protector, part deterrent, watching with a mix of solemnity and power. The path she treads is fiery and treacherous, suggesting that ambition often means walking through difficulty, not around it.

To the left, shadows of hesitant onlookers gather behind warning signs, content to remain within the illusion of safety. The stormy sky and the erupting sun evoke a world where nature itself seems to challenge or test one's resolve. The red tones and bold textures signal emotional heat, resistance, and resilience.

This work invites viewers to reflect on how greatness and growth rarely come without confrontation. The painting ultimately affirms that the journey, no matter how fraught, is for the brave, those who move forward not because the path is safe, but because the purpose is strong.

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