Lives Mary Engelbreit

The artwork presents a stylized depiction of a young girl holding a tray laden with small flags or pennants. The composition is framed by a border consisting of alternating orange and green rectangular panels, creating a sense of enclosure and deliberate presentation. A large banner at the top proclaims Lives in bold red lettering, immediately establishing a thematic focus.
The central figure, rendered in a simplified, almost cartoonish style, possesses an exaggeratedly round face and wide eyes, contributing to a feeling of innocence or perhaps naive optimism. She is dressed in a yellow dress with white trim, further emphasizing her youthfulness and perceived purity. A large bow adorns her hair, adding another element of decorative charm.
The tray she carries displays numerous flags, each bearing a single word denoting various professions or roles: Mother, Doctor, Teacher, Artist, Trucker, among others. This arrangement suggests the multitude of contributions and identities that constitute human existence. The words are presented in a somewhat chaotic manner, implying the complexity and interconnectedness of these roles within society.
The background is dominated by a dark, almost black space, which serves to isolate the figure and highlight the brightly colored elements in the foreground. This contrast creates visual drama and directs attention towards the girl and her offering. The text at the bottom, Get One, introduces an element of commercialism or perhaps a subtle commentary on the commodification of human experience.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of value, identity, and societal roles. The young girl’s presentation of these “lives” could be interpreted as a symbolic offering – a suggestion that these contributions are essential and worthy of recognition. However, the imperative Get One introduces an unsettling ambiguity; does it imply acquisition or ownership? Is it a call to embrace ones role within society, or is it a critique of how individuals are reduced to labels and categories? The overall effect is both charming and slightly disquieting, prompting reflection on the nature of human worth and the societal structures that define it.