Gerald Williams, a pivotal figure within the Africobra movement, is acclaimed for his vibrant and dynamic paintings that resonate with themes of Black pride and empowerment. With bold shapes, rich colors, and intricate patterns, his compositions exude energy and vitality, reflecting his background in graphic design. Williams' art serves as a visual narrative of the African American experience, often delving into topics of social justice, identity, and community. Through his work, he seeks to amplify the voices and stories of marginalized communities, promoting cultural visibility and significance. Williams' contributions to the art world extend beyond aesthetics; his commitment to challenging stereotypes and advocating for social change has cemented his legacy as a pioneering artist and activist within the African American art community.
As the title suggests, this work by Gerald Williams memorializes the 1976 police massacre of hundreds of South African children by police in what has come to be known as the Soweto uprising. The image Williams is portraying pays homage to a press photo snapped of Antoinette Sithole running beside Mbuyisa Makhubo who is carrying the body of Hector Pieterson who has just been murdered by police. In Williams’s image, the trio is portrayed as sanctified, glowing and angelic, and Hector is now walking.

The style Williams uses in this portrait is indicative of his aesthetic evolution towards a meticulous, pointillist approach, building complex images from small dots rather than focusing on concrete forms and hardedge compositions. It is part of a body of work Williams embarked upon while living and working in Africa, and which he continues to develop today.