Alfie 

Lucia Heffernan's 'Alfie' offers us an intriguing composition centred around a dog, meticulously rendered with oil on canvas. The artist employs a symmetrical structure, drawing our eyes to the canine's face, framed by a bowler hat and a monocle. This is further enhanced by the soft, diffused lighting that gives a gentle texture to the dog's fur. The choice of attire introduces a destabilization of meaning, playing with semiotic codes. The monocle and bowler hat, traditionally symbols of human sophistication, are now worn by a dog, thereby questioning our fixed notions of class and intelligence. The bird perched in the top left calls attention to the subtle ironies, a silent observer of this curious juxtaposition. Heffernan's work cleverly uses formal elements to create a humorous, thought-provoking narrative. It remains an open field for interpretation, challenging us to reconsider our assumptions.