This painting shows a scene in which children look detachedly at a graffiti depicting a burning police car. Their positions reflect the typical perception of this scene: some children are curious, others seem indifferent, and only one looks at the viewer, seemingly questioning his reaction.

Polis and Police

Police and polis are French terms that have similar meanings in English. The word «police» generally refers to all the forces of order responsible for maintaining public order and enforcing the law. The word «polis» refers to a community organized and governed by laws.

This drawing emerged after a réflexion about the relations between them. By using this provocative image, I wanted to highlights the complex relationship between people and law enforcement in France. Since 2017, the police in France have been criticized following several violent incidents that have resulted in injuries and deaths. This difficult social situation has a direct impact on the relationship between citizens and law enforcement, and polarizes people’s opinions towards each other.

While the French culture of demonstrations and strikes has often been associated with conflict and violence, it is important to remember that not all demonstrations and strikes in France have resulted in violence. In fact, many demonstrations and strikes in France have been peaceful and have been successful in bringing about positive change.

Legacy of social conflicts

The child’s gaze in the painting can be interpreted as an invitation to reflect on our own reaction to difficult events and to become aware of the complexity of relations between people and law enforcement in. It can also be seen as a cautionary tale : reminding us that these tensions have repercussions for future generations and that it is crucial to find solutions to overcome them.

While conflicts are a normal part of democracy, it is important to remember that they should never escalate to the point of violence. Instead of focusing on the conflict itself, we should strive to understand and empathize with the people we are in conflict with. This can help to defuse the situation and prevent it from escalating further.

Anyways, As French, we riot.