CitiBank
By Aaron Gilbert
Medium: Oil on Canvas

I feel that I can relate the most to this piece of artwork because of the different messages that it can send depending on the person viewing the image. It has a trait where it can give a very different first impression from person to person, almost like how people do. For some people, they might see him and think that he is holding up a ransom note like what can happen in some cases around the world today. This may also lead a connection to the scar on his head due to being in a gang-related fight which ties together with how he looks like he might be trying to rob a bank.

However, there is also the first impression of him making a desperate plea to the bank for money. As is shown by the state of his health, he seems to need to money just to help him live a life where he can still nourish himself. There is also the signs that his body language gives out in the painting. He seems to have both hands stretched out and leaning on the glass because of whatever kind of situation he may be in. It’s the different possible backgrounds like these and how this painting plays into either of them that I take a liking to this specific art piece.