Can't Lose What You Never Had 

Denis Peterson's painting "Can't Lose What You Never Had" captures a settlement built from found materials, rendered with remarkable attention to texture. The artwork is oil on canvas. The material influences its appearance; the smooth surface allows for the contrast between the chaotic scene and the delicate rendering of light and shadow. Peterson has imbued the work with social significance by portraying what seems to be an informal settlement created from scavenged materials. The skilled tradition of photorealism serves to amplify the impact of the scene, bringing into focus the relationship between poverty, consumption, and waste. The presence of everyday materials highlights the labor and resourcefulness required for survival in marginalized communities. By using the visual language of fine art, Peterson challenges the viewer to reconsider what constitutes value and beauty, and to confront the social and economic forces that shape our world.