Using thinned layers of oil paint to emulate the texture of newsprint, the anchor piece, Lord of the Files, operates as a gateway into the intricate world of the exhibition, The Plot Thickens: Lord of the Flies. Linked to the show’s exploration of secondary school systems as microcosms of society, the work draws a direct relationship between its title and imagery. It investigates structures of order, authority, organization, and power—systems that begin to take shape during the formative years of adolescence. The painting unfolds as a kind of slippery slope, tracing the delicate balance—and eventual tipping point—of power and control. This tension extends into the oppressive architecture of the school compound, where institutional authority becomes both visible and ambient. At the same time, a quiet juxtaposition emerges: a fuming, almost surreal figure of authority is set against the casual, slightly perplexed presence of students who appear to be playing hookey. This contrast disrupts any singular reading of the scene, allowing multiple emotional registers to coexist. The work sets the tone for the layered snapshots that unfold across the exhibition, introducing both depth and nuance. It also gestures toward the surreal nature of memory, particularly in recalling formative experiences. Through its dual orientation, the painting resists a fixed perspective ; depending on how the viewer encounters it, the school may appear upside down, while the collaged scene of students hiding beneath a tree can shift between disorientation and stability.