The Great Beyond (2023)
Mike Bamgbala
The Great Beyond is an imagined self-portrait. The central character, the artist himself, has been morphed and refigured by his ongoing efforts to achieve prosperity, success, and happiness.
As his chic, gold-wearing party guest welcomes him into her home, where the walls bear expensive paintings, Mike’s figure stands in contrast with his surroundings. His outfit is both askew and off-kilter, a button-hole flower and bow tie suggesting he may be a clown in spirit if not profession.
The ominous presence of gravestones in the background, in tandem with the artist’s self-acknowledged humiliation, suggest that though riches may await him as he battles for success, the cost of the journey itself might be far greater than he expected.
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