An oil painting of a small child surrounded by toys with a look of joy on his face. Above his head he holds out two plastic dinosaurs, doing battle.

Guorui Sui

Age 11

My Own World of Fantasy, 2025

Oil pastel on canvas | Unframed: 30 x 40 cm

Guorui says: "This self-portrait captures me in my happy place — surrounded by my favourite toys, away from the real world where not everything goes your way. I’m 11, nearing those “teenage years” everyone talks about. I know the “grown-up” world is coming, with its complexities and worries. So I’m soaking up every last bit of being a kid. Maybe I’m a “late bloomer” or just refusing to leave the era of pure innocence. I’m happy to be its king for a little longer.".