Artwork Description

In this powerful and surrealistic study, Agustin Noguera explores the deep-rooted societal injustices faced by street children, inspired by a profound childhood encounter. The artwork presents a striking composition of three distinct facial figures, each element symbolizing different aspects of this complex social issue.

The first figure features lips that appear to be melting, a potent visual metaphor for the erosion of innocence and opportunity that millions street children experience. Within this face, one can see the shape of the Earth as viewed from space, with Mexico clearly visible. This juxtaposition highlights how a single child’s story in Mexico represents a global societal failure. The liquefying effect of the mouth suggests the precariousness of young lives shaped by systemic neglect, while the Earth imagery reminds us of the universal nature of these injustices.

A single, prominent eye with three long, pointy eyelashes dominates another part of the composition. The eye, devoid of life, serves as a stark witness to societal indifference. The sharp eyelashes suggest the defensive mechanisms children develop to survive in hostile environments, reflecting the harsh realities they face daily.

The third figure takes the form of a human skull, a grim reminder of the life-threatening conditions many street children endure. In a surreal twist, the skull’s eye sockets are filled with heart shapes, from which wisps of gas emerge. This juxtaposition of love (hearts) and mortality (skull) within the same form speaks to the complex emotions surrounding the issue of street children – the tension between society’s potential for compassion and the deadly consequences of its collective failure to act.

Artist’s Inspiration

This piece draws its inspiration from a pivotal moment in Agustin Noguera’s childhood. During a visit to a police station with his mother, a lawyer, Noguera witnessed a child his own age imprisoned for selling candy on the streets. This stark exposure to systemic injustice left an indelible mark on the artist’s conscience.

In this surrealistic interpretation, Noguera delves into the psychological and social dimensions of this memory. The melting lips evoke the sweet candies the child was selling, now twisted into a symbol of lost childhood. The emotionless eye represents society’s blind eye to these injustices, while the skull with heart-shaped eyes embodies the conflict between indifference and empathy, punishment and support.

Through this deeply personal and symbolic work, Noguera challenges viewers to confront the complex realities faced by street children and to question societal structures that criminalize poverty. The surreal elements serve to amplify the emotional impact, making visible the often overlooked human cost of social inequality and injustice.

Artist’s Commitment

Agustin Noguera has pledged to donate all proceeds from the sale of this artwork to organizations supporting street children in Mexico. This commitment transforms the piece into a direct channel for addressing the injustices it depicts, allowing art to contribute concretely to social change.