Golden Laughter

Starting from Duality: A child’s laughter usually symbolizes innocence and happiness, but once it is covered with a golden mask, it instantly transforms into a symbol of power and hypocrisy. My work begins from this collision of contrasting elements.

Social Satire: In today’s society, laughter that shines with “gold”—wealth and power—is often demanded, yet behind that laughter lies inequality and falsehood. This work attempts to reveal such social irony.

Religious/Iconic Imagery: The radiating pattern in the background borrows from iconography, elevating the child as a kind of sacred idol while simultaneously evoking an unsettling tension.

Child Casting: I chose the child’s bright laughter because it naturally creates a powerful contrast. The laughter embodies purity, while the mask conveys oppression. This tension forms the core of the work.