The Other Cheek
© By John Keane
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The painting contains elements of both sides of the community in Northern Ireland. The row of housing to the left is decorated with a republican mural and an Irish tricolour flies high about the chimney. On the other side a predominately Protestant street flies the flag of the United Kingdom. Members of the Orange order can be seen congregating to the far right of the painting.
One of the most prominent features is that of the casualties from both sides of the community in the middle of the painting. A mother cradles her son on one side and a man looks helplessly at a figure sprawled out on the ground. A soldier is tending to the injuries of another member of his unit.
The Other Cheek represents the pain and suffering that occurred as a result of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Both sides of the community felt the loss of loved ones including the military that was stationed there.
Image courtesy of the artist and Flowers Gallery, London