VictorianWorkhouseChild06

Victorian Workhouse Child 06 Original Artwork on stretched canvas. Collage, Text Transfer, Ink 40x50x4 cm. "Victorian Workhouse Child 06" was created from the mugshot of Ellen Hayes, who stole 2 studs and a waistcoat, 1873, and was sentenced to 21 days of hard labour. 

This artwork series focuses on children from Victorian workhouses, who were forced into labor under harsh conditions. The series reflects the current situation in South Africa where parentless children work to support their siblings. The issue seems simple on a large scale but becomes complex when viewed closely. The artwork uses a layered transfer technique to recreate the children on canvas, symbolizing a multifaceted social issue. Each child has a unique expression, inviting the viewer to imagine how they would handle their situation. The artwork combines collaged materials on stretched canvas, with teabag paper creating a sepia-colored background and transferred letters adding depth. The original images are sourced from Tyne Wear Archives Museums under the Creative Commons license. The artwork highlights the ongoing struggle of child labor and encourages the viewer to engage with the issue on a personal level.