Things We Don’t Say

Things We Don’t Say explores the silent struggles that many people carry within themselves struggles that are often hidden behind a quiet face, a normal day, or the simple act of trying to keep going. The work reflects on the experience of growing up in a difficult economic environment, particularly within the Nigerian society, where some children are introduced to worry, responsibility, and survival far earlier than they should be. At a young age, they may begin to think about food, money, family responsibilities, and how to survive. Some are pushed into working early, carrying burdens that should not belong to a child. There is no crying, no shouting, and no explanation only the things that remain unspoken. Sometimes, we become so used to surviving that we forget to talk about what survival has done to us. This work is a reminder that behind many quiet people are stories, struggles, fears, and wounds that may never be spoken aloud. I hope you heal from the things you don’t talk about. Oil on canvas 2026