A Heavy Burden 2020

Kayla Mahaffey's 2020 painting "A Heavy Burden" depicts a young Black boy carrying an enormous, ornate object on his back. The object resembles a turtle shell with vibrant, biomorphic details, suggesting a metaphorical weight that burdens the child. The surreal, colorful background with elements like a wave, clouds, and palm trees adds to the dreamlike quality of the artwork, inviting viewers to contemplate the themes of resilience and challenges faced by young people.