Description
As the second piece in my
ongoing series inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s *The Little Prince*, this artwork draws upon the Persian proverb “پول بده سر سبیل شاه ناقاره بزن,” which roughly translates to “If you have money, you can even beat drums on the king’s mustache.” This saying underscores how wealth can open doors, buy comfort, and even sway those in power. In this imagined scene, the King tries to bribe the Little Prince into staying on his planet by offering him a grand title as a judge—assuming that money and status can fulfill any worldly desire. Yet the Little Prince quickly sees the emptiness of these offers in a realm where no one truly needs judging—except for one old mouse hidden beneath the King’s crown.
By placing the Little Prince atop the King’s mustache, I wanted to visualize the clash between power, wealth, and morality. The mustache symbolizes the King’s pride and authority, while the Little Prince represents innocence, curiosity, and an unclouded sense of right and wrong. The presence of the old mouse—small, insignificant, and easily overlooked—reveals that despite the King’s grandeur, his domain is hollow, propped up only by the illusion of influence and the promise of bribes.
This piece also highlights a core theme of the collection: the complex desires that drive human behavior. In a world where money is seen as a fix-all, what becomes of genuine connection, empathy, and authenticity? Like the King, many seek to validate themselves through wealth or power, forgetting that true fulfillment cannot be bought.
Just as the proverb reminds us that wealth-based loyalties are superficial, the Little Prince, with his simple heart and clear vision, refuses a meaningless role. In doing so, he questions not only the King’s authority but the very notion that money can solve every problem.
Within the broader narrative of my collection, this second installment contrasts with the first piece’s focus on the tension between logic and emotion. Now, the spotlight shifts to the lure of wealth, the illusion of power, and the emptiness it can create. Through these images, I invite you to reflect on the nature of human desires: Are we truly satisfied with the comforts money provides, or do we still yearn for deeper connections and meaning?
Ultimately, this artwork offers a playful yet pointed commentary on how easily we can be swayed by the promise of riches, and how quickly we forget what truly matters. The Little Prince, perched on the mustache of a King who has everything yet nothing, urges us to reconsider our priorities and reflect on what we truly value.