Lil’ Lando 

Alfred Conteh painted this piece, Lil’ Lando, using oil and pastel on canvas. It presents a contemporary image that reflects the burden of history. The figure is stained with what appears to be rust or blood and holds a portrait of a young boy. Conteh here visualizes the idea of intergenerational trauma. The stains evoke the violence of the past, suggesting that its effects are visited on successive generations. This image questions traditional institutions that have historically denied the black community opportunities for education and advancement. Lil’ Lando suggests the ongoing fight for social justice, confronting us with questions about institutional responsibility and collective memory. To understand this piece further, we might research historical records, legal documents, and sociological studies. These resources offer a more complete understanding of the social and institutional context in which this painting was created.