Distress

Distress is the fifth painting in the series, and the first to expand to a 24-inch square canvas. Here, the focus widens toward America itself. The American imagery is deliberately wrong — backwards, upside down and unsettled. For Essebes, it reflects a country that cannot seem to get itself straight while everyone watches events unfold. The upside-down flag becomes a signal of distress. How can we all be watching this unfold, and still nothing happens?

2026 · Oil on canvas

24 × 24 × 1.5 in (61 × 61 × 3.8 cm)

Signed · Unframed

Certificate of originality included

Details in this painting

Blue eyes: Innocence remains. Even as the imagery expands toward a larger national question, the child is still watching.
Goggles: Protection. Protective armor remains part of the figure.
Headphones: Shielding. Another attempted barrier between innocence and what is happening around it.
Green mark: Armor and protest. The recurring protective mark continues into the larger 24-inch composition.
Red mark: What gets through. The mark represents what can still reach a child despite attempts at shielding and protection.
Upside-down American flag: A signal of distress. The American imagery is deliberately unsettled and contributes to the sense that something is profoundly wrong.
Faded lettering: A warning embedded in the surface. Rather than sitting cleanly on top of the painting, the words become partially absorbed into its disturbed visual field.

Available original — inquire about this artwork →

The Whole World Is Watching

An ongoing protest series by Essebes about innocence, witness and the responsibility to protect children.

Explore the full series →