Breathing The New Society- Acrylic

Artist Statement

In the artwork I produce, I focus on the political errors of the injustice system in the world, as well as the vibrant amount of color and line work that gives the pieces the Pop Art feel. With topics ranging from racism, current events, identity, equal and civil rights, police brutality, white supremacy, and importance of currency, all reveal the broken justice system in the world that we all live in as one. While the topics are hidden or straightforward in each work, the color that surrounds the work, as well as detailed line work, brings a sense of pop and a new feel for Political Pop Art. 

Using newsprint for canvas is another way for me to educate my viewers on current event topics in the world while painting on top of or around it, leaving important information still viewable. Collecting different stories and topics overtime allows me to depict a story and show the time period a little better. Collaging articles ranging from crime, politics, news, police brutality, sports, media, and others, all tie together to the times we live in.

A numerous amount of works emphasize currency and the theme of blood money, showing how “Money is the seed in the soil.” The fact that a simple piece of paper printed out by our government has just as much power over the people as they do is questionable. Dumping money into their military, weaponry, and other advantages, there are still millions struggling and in poverty who our government always seems to turn a blind eye on.

With the continuous “Money Skull” logo appearing in many works, it gives off the idea of blood money, the thought of fighting for money, and it questions thoughts like: What would you—or anyone—do for a quick earning?

However, with the use of sports and public figures in works, it defines social class, and it also gives a sense of hope for people who glamorize that lifestyle and idolize it, especially when the subject or person of importance has come from the same struggle that people can relate to and appreciate. Figures like Muhammed Ali, who have been challenged by the government and came out notorious, bring light to people and that’s why I use figures that fit that description in my work. 

As well as the political side of the work, I focus on the use of anatomy to trigger a sense of identity and to reveal. Drawings and graphics in the works of figure images have a split image, with the use of a black background and with a skeletal or muscular structure on top. It gives the character, or a figure, a narrative on how they feel about the ongoing topics that I present in that work from the political side.

The specific paints and color variations I use in my work also impact the work as well as the subjects I present. Colors like red and blue can sometimes be used as references to political parties, or the use of black to emphasize the feeling of emptiness, as well as it being used for more modern line work for the pop feel. Vibrant colors against the use of black also bring in a fun feeling to the works to keep it from being too gloomy and to make it rather admirable.

As an artist and creator, I want to give my viewers a sense of admiration for the work, as well as to educate the viewer on events that I tend to cover. With political points in each piece, vibrant colors, shadows, and illustrative line work, it builds a strong composition that characterizes my work as Political Pop Art.