The painting Friends unfolds like a cinematic scene that places the viewer directly within the event. The perspective suggests the viewpoint of a body lying on the ground: twelve uniformed figures loom overhead, appearing to strike simultaneously toward the picture plane. Through this radical shift in perspective, the distance between image and spectator collapses, positioning the viewer in the vulnerable place of the victim.

The title introduces a striking tension. While “friends” suggests trust and solidarity, the image evokes betrayal, exclusion, and the overwhelming feeling of being attacked or abandoned by many at once - an experience comparable to collective bullying. Created in the context of debates around police violence and the Black Lives Matter movement, the work reflects on systemic discrimination and abuse of power. The painting confronts the viewer with a visceral sense of vulnerability, forcing an empathic encounter with those exposed to violence, betrayal, and institutional authority.