Anxiety is a powerful work that explores the tensions between spirituality, identity and social perception. At the centre of the composition, a child with an unsettling gaze stands between two contrasting visual worlds: a soothing green background and an intense red, symbolising inner conflict and emotional dualities. The body, marked by irregular patterns, evokes
fragility, difference or even stigmatisation, whilst the presence of the religious statue suggests a quest for protection, faith or meaning in the face of uncertainty.
The chequered floor reinforces a sense of imbalance and mental tension, like an unstable space between reality and perception. On the left, a traditional sculpture references cultural heritage, creating a dialogue between tradition and contemporary spirituality. Through this work, Charley Ngisilu questions society’s view of the individual, whilst expressing a deeply human inner anxiety.
