Wenny Badjo

Theme: In Search of Hope

First Place, Open Category, 2021

Artist statement:

A lot of people in Singapore suffer from organ failure and the rate of kidney failure is the highest. This is very alarming because patients have to wait for nine to ten years for a kidney transplant. While most of us might think that older people are likely to be affected, this is not true. Anyone can be diagnosed with kidney failure, so I painted a young person to create this awareness. She is a symbol of patients who are suffering from kidney failure. If she is healthy, she could be putting on nice accessories and having a good time with her family and friends. However, she is wearing a locked chain of her damaged kidneys and a ticking bomb. In order to live, she has to unlock the padlock with healthy kidneys. The only way is to wait for kind souls to donate them to her. A life that depends on others to live is the saddest and most desperate one could imagine. I hope people are more aware of this issue and have the heart to reach out their hands to save them. This way, more patients can break free from their helplessness and spend a better quality life.

About the Artist

Wenny Badjo, 34