Children and Adults

This illustration symbolizes the contrast between childhood and adulthood. The right half of the composition is filled with dreamy, vibrant colors that evoke the carefree spirit of childhood, full of joy and imagination. In contrast, the left half is rendered in dark, chaotic, and oppressive tones, reflecting the pressures and challenges of adult life.

The inspiration for this work came from my return to my childhood hometown during the summer of 2025. I discovered that the giant old tree—once providing shade and a place for us to play—had been cut down, replaced by a workplace. I chose this tree as the central subject of the piece. On the right branches, I designed balloons, a pinwheel, and a swing to symbolize the joy and playfulness of childhood. On the left branches, I formed half of a mask to represent how, as we grow up, we often wear masks to hide our true selves when interacting with others. I also included a deliberately unappealing office building on this side, serving as a metaphor for the burdens and pressures of adult life.