""THE CHILD" is an expressive oil painting that invites us to reflect on memory and personal identity, presenting an image that is not so much a portrait, but rather an embodiment of the childhood innocence that lives inside the adult "I".

Made in 2023, the work occupies a significant space with dimensions of 2450 mm by 2000 mm and is executed on a base durable linen.

The artist explores the introspective search for remnants of childhood innocence and naivety, those qualities that once defined us as children. The painting captures the gaze of a child, innocent and naive, of a small being, whose essence was once common to all.

It is an exploration of the eternal child within us, the whimsical and naive spirit that pushes us towards adventure, wanting to live life at maximum, let's explore and enjoy the little things.

The child in the painting represents purity, an eternal symbol of the desire to live, untouched by the complexities of adult life. But as

it often happens in our world, everything has two sides. In the adult lives a small child, and in the child the adult awakens. In her eyes one can see a frozen moment that encapsulates the vulnerability we feel in front of the world. It's a profound moment that often hurts to even talk about, a tacit acknowledgment of the pain of holding on to the past.

This work goes beyond simple visual representation, inviting the viewer to reflect on the duality of our nature and  to the eternal child that lives within each of us, encouraging us to appreciate the simplicity and profound beauty of life."

Aliona Barbei Tureac