Eden (Protection)
Eden (Protection)
by David J. Eichenberg
© David J. Eichenberg
David J. Eichenberg (b.1972) gained a BFA in fine arts from the University of Toledo, Ohio. His work has been seen in group exhibitions in Europe and the USA including the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition at the National Portrait Gallery, Washington D.C. (2009) and Figurativas, MEAM, Barcelona, (2016, 2017). He was previously selected for the BP Portrait Award in 2010 and 2011.
The portrait is of the artist’s daughter, Eden. It was inspired by his paternal instinct of wanting to protect her from the effects of anxiety associated with adolescence. This is expressed by wrapping her in survival blankets while she wears dark glasses to defend her gaze.