by Khensile Massingue
from Mozambique
This artwork represents my hero: my dad. I chose him because he is not only my father but also my best friend, and he has a strong impact on my life. This explains the meaning behind my piece, the message I wanted to share, and the artistic choices I made throughout the process.In my artwork, you can see my dad wearing a sports jersey with his name and number on it. I picked this pose because it stands for confidence, pride, and determination;traits that I really admire in him.
My dad inspires me, supports me, and makes me feel safe. He always pushes me to do my best and knows how to make me laugh. By painting him as an athlete, I wanted to show that he is a leader in my life, a role model, and someone I look up to every day. The artwork shows how much I appreciate all the ways he has helped shape who I am.
For this piece, I used oil paint on canvas. I chose oil because it looks stunning, allows for bright colors, and helps me create strong outlines. The background is bright blue to represent hope and positivity, while the green field stands for stability and growth—qualities that my dad gives me. Thick black outlines form a strong, confident figure that reflects the strength I see in him. Overall, this artwork celebrates my dad as my hero. Through composition, color, and symbolism, I wanted to express the love, respect, and admiration I have for him.