No price Worth Being Here (2023) Original Acrylic Painting by Emmanuel Akolo

No Price Worth Being Here is a raw, unflinching exploration of the physical and psychological toll of military service. The painting depicts a Nigerian soldier in full camouflage, seated against a saturated, blood-red backdrop that symbolizes the violence and high stakes of his environment. His posture, arms crossed and gaze turned upward, suggests a profound moment of internal conflict and exhaustion. By featuring a prosthetic leg prominently in the foreground, the work serves as a visceral reminder of the permanent, life-altering sacrifices made on the front lines. It poses a difficult question regarding the cost of national duty and whether any reward can truly compensate for the human damage sustained.

The composition utilizes a bold primary-color palette, with the brilliant yellow of the soldier's pack and prosthetic boot contrasting sharply against the surrounding red. This visual tension mirrors the soldier's own struggle to find meaning and identity amidst the chaos of conflict. Part of a broader collection focused on human resilience and social commentary, this work challenges the viewer to look past the uniform and confront the individual survivor. No Price Worth Being Here honors the dignity of those who carry the weight of war long after the battle ends, documenting the grim reality of a life shaped by institutional demand and personal loss.

Materials used:

Acrylic

Details:

• Acrylic painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 91.44 x 91.44 x 3.81cm (unframed) / 91.44 x 91.44cm (actual image size)
• Signed on the front
• Style: Expressive and gestural
• Subject: People and portraits