Catch & Release 2020

Kayla Mahaffey’s 2020 painting "Catch & Release" depicts a young boy caught in a large net filled with various fish. The vibrant colors and cartoonish elements create a playful atmosphere, while the subject matter suggests a deeper meaning. The boy's expression and the fish's exaggerated features evoke both a sense of struggle and a humorous twist on the traditional concept of fishing. The juxtaposition of the child’s vulnerability with the net’s entrapment creates a poignant commentary on the complexities of human relationships and the environment.