'Whipping Toy'

Dimensions: 22 x 18 x 2’’

Materials: Paper pulp, acrylic on canvas

The painting draws on the historical practice of appointing a ‘whipping boy’ in Tudor and Stuart courts, a child punished in place of a young prince. The work interprets this dynamic as a psychological mechanism of guilt transfer, connecting historical ritual, biblical scapegoating, and the crucifixion of Christ. Toys arranged in the composition reflect the transference of sin and blame from the external source onto the child’s environment. The piece examines how guilt, punishment, and ritual intersect across history and psyche, highlighting enduring patterns of moral and social responsibility.