Abstract

This colorful oil painting suggests how a fearless child can inspire compassion, particularly regarding our clinical, political, and ethical orientations to ongoing practices of separating children from parents at the US southern border.

Figure. Girl and Rooster

Media

Oil on canvas.

 

Caption

In this painting, a trip to the countryside takes an exciting turn when my 5-year-old daughter finds and picks up a rooster. The bird appears thoroughly displeased, but she basks in the moment, fearless. This painting seeks to represent a confluence of fearlessness, innocence, and compassion. This set of themes has potential to inspire people to end ongoing policies and practices of separating children from parents at the US southern border that are ethically problematic and clinically relevant.