Art Over Addiction Competition

Artist : Waris kareem olamilekan
Age : 17
Gender : Male

I explore the root causes and triggers that lead to substance abuse amongst young people. In this piece, I depict the idea of using drugs and substances as a means of escape from the actual/ harsh reality of life. The subject represents the youths, especially the teenagers transitioning to adulthood, overwhelmed bymental health issues such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, peer pressure, stress, and trauma, symbolized by the chaotic lines filling thebackground, which the subject chooses to ignore, only to be consumed by them later. instead, the subject turns to substance abuse as a coping

mechanism by injecting himself to temporarily escape the overwhelming issues that surround him. Through this piece, I seek to inspire viewers to face their struggles with courage, determination, and discipline and to empower young people to seek support when needed. Rather than seeking harmful 

and unhealthy means of escape.