Taking Flight

2021
Mixed Media
72”x40"

About Taking Flight

The Tchukudu Girls playing a game they call Taking Flight.

Jonathan Holiday School was named after a 17-year-old young man who lost his life far too early. In his name, Michael Holiday and family donated the funds to build the school in honour of their son's memory. The symbolism of the monarch butterfly has been deeply rooted in Jonathan's memory.

When I was creating this painting I was led to create the Easter Blue butterfly which is a species from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This spirit of this painting is the legacy of the education that the school is providing to 350 students every year from grades 1-8. Education is the transformational tool to create flight for all the children who go to school here. This painting represents empowerment, strength, hope and love.

Photo by Lucienne.