It is estimated that 40,000 particles are released when a person sneezes.

No matter how efficiently you cover your sneezes, or how hard you try to hold them in, eventually, they will escape into the open air.

My artwork, Ignite, uses sneezing as a metaphor for many things.

For example, not only does a sneeze “ignite” the spread of a virus but also gives your throat a burning sensation. This idea continues when you are “burning” with anger when you cannot do anything due to sickness. This concept is best shown throughout the colour palette of this piece.

The piece depicts an elderly man sneezing, reflecting on how our older generations are more prone to spreading and receiving sickness.

The piece also plays around with the idea of influence. When an individual lets their presence out into the world, others are influenced by them, similar to how a virus spreads.

Overall, the takeaway is that the man has a chance to block his sneeze or influence, yet cannot help it, releasing it into the world around him.

Something he has been itching to do.