Echoes of Conflict: A Soldier’s Cube

The  soldier in the foreground is a reflection of contemplation. His posture is not aggressive or forward-moving; instead, it suggests introspection. He watches the scene unfold before him, as if he is part of the environment yet distanced from the immediate conflict. The  shattered globe beneath the cube represents the fragility of our world when faced with the relentless advance of war. Though the cube floats above, untouched, the earth below bears the scars of past and present battles.  

The  forest backdrop , bathed in golden light, contrasts with the harshness of the tank and technology. It suggests a return to nature, a place of reflection and peace, even amidst the chaos. The trees stand tall, silent witnesses to both destruction and healing.  

The  U.S. Army has long been at the forefront of utilizing tanks in warfare, beginning with their introduction during World War I. Tanks became a symbol of unstoppable force, reshaping modern military tactics. As warfare has evolved, so too have the machines of war, with tanks remaining a key tool in both offensive and defensive strategies. The juxtaposition of technology with the natural world reflects a deeper history of how battles have always influenced, and been influenced by, the environments in which they are fought.  

The piece also hints at the psychological toll of warfare. Soldiers, like the one pictured here, must balance the weight of their duties with the need for inner peace—a difficult task when war is ever-present.  

Golden hues in the sky : These warm colors represent  hope, reflection, and the passage of time . The golden light suggests that despite the conflict, there is always the potential for peace, for a return to something natural and pure.  Deep forest greens and browns : These colors of the earth and trees symbolize  resilience, endurance, and life . While the foreground is dominated by technology and destruction, the natural world remains a place of refuge and recovery.  Dark grays and blacks within the cube : These harsh tones symbolize  war, destruction, and the unknown . The cube itself, with its sharp angles and heavy contrasts, represents how war often feels—contained but looming, controlled yet powerful.  

As I built this piece, I kept returning to the idea of  containment and release . The  cube became a symbol for how we try to control and compartmentalize conflict, to make sense of the chaos of war. Yet, despite the efforts to contain it, war seeps out, leaving scars on the earth and on the people who experience it. The  shattered globe at the base of the image symbolizes that no matter how we try to contain it, war has a way of breaking through, affecting the world in profound ways.  

The  soldier’s stance is personal for me. It’s about the weight of observation, about bearing witness to conflict while also being part of it. His presence is almost meditative, standing there with the weight of his backpack, watching the world both crumble and rebuild around him.  

There’s a quietness in the  forest and sky —a sense that nature continues despite everything. The trees, with their golden light, offer hope. They’re not part of the battle, but they stand as silent observers, suggesting that there’s always a space for reflection, for understanding, and for peace amidst the storm.  

Emotionally, this piece touches on the  tension between destruction and healing , between chaos and quiet. It’s about the way soldiers, and the world itself, must navigate this delicate balance, moving between the immediacy of action and the necessity of reflection. The cube, with its encapsulation of war, serves as a reminder that while conflict may seem contained, its effects ripple far beyond. ​​