Art by Dan Sekanwagi

The Awakening - In Words

This piece exudes the energy generated by my exuberance about a fast approaching eve of the 21^st century. Because the turn of the century coincided with the beginning of the third millennium AD, there was wide spread excitement mixed with anxiety and sheer panic fueled by rampant media hype speculating on what was about to befall planet earth.

Amid all the anxiety, my naturally adventurous and optimistic spirit would not let my heart be troubled. I was busy seeking ways and means to equip myself with the tools needed to seize the moment. It was a time for tilling the land and cultivating new ideas that would not only sustain humanity but also improve on what was already our own.

‘The Awakening’ challenged and still dares the viewer to an introspection to find solutions from within rather than fear wholesale the unknowns of the new millennium. By hollowing out the images, I attempted to visually express that a true awakening can only be realized in an open mind and in an environment that is conducive to a more sustainable existence.

I used a rich and ultra-vibrant color palate to convey my optimism that we can wake up to new possibilities, if only we truly exert ourselves. 'The Awakening' is my proclamation of a commitment to motivate humankind to aim for a better tomorrow - starting today - by taking the right steps towards improving our lives and protecting our planet.

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