MINDFUL TO MINDLESS
This mixed media piece uses the mediums of pen, alcohol based markers, paint markers and graphite. This creative expression embodies my perspective of the playground I grew up in; from the exhilarating experience of Bay Area transportation and endless urban landscapes of colorful graffiti pieces. (A very mindful era of freedom and expression) This piece then transitions from bottom to top to a very dull emotionless dystopian world.
THE MESSAGE AND DEEPER MEANING
I created this piece to show duality in two different worlds. I made the piece transition from bottom to top to show the linear direction I feel like the world is going through. The bottom captures a very mindful era of freedom and expression I created the focal point of the bottom to be a smiling Buddha with kids surrounding him in Bay Area culture and fashion; symbolizing youth. The Buddha is snapping a AK-47 Rifle to symbolize peace & being mindful to keep the peace for our youth especially since they are sponges and create the foundation for our future society. The landscape surrounding this focal point was made to capture the essence of my childhood playground. Inspired by the redline bart rail, the tunnels are inspired by colma station, and the graffiti is inspired from west Oakland Bart to Richmond. The stretch from those two cities is covered in intense intricate lettering and many complementary color schemes. My art piece only scratches the sheer surface of what it’s inspired by. Going further into the details around the Buddha I have created a mash up of a playhouse you see at fast food chains; from ball pits with eyeballs and tunnel slides made from sewer pipes there’s also a subtle nod to the bus I grew up on the 49 vanness, inspired by my dad who was an operator for that route.
The transition from my vibrant childhood playground to a dark dystopian world starts about half way through the piece. I created one of my iconic characters “The chrome dome” These characters are giant metal heads symbolizing the importance of protecting your head mentally and physically. They all wear masks of different expressions representing the plethora of facades us humans use through out our day to day lives. In this dystopian future, humans live in emotional turmoil doing whatever it takes to protect their mental health from medications, codeswitching facades, and concealing their vulnerabilities. The focal point of the top section is one of the chrome domes peeling off his mask revealing his true vulnerability, a frail skull with an eye of providence on his forehead representing his inner soul. The landscape surrounding this focal point is other chrome dome characters connected through wires; this symbolize the technology that intertwines them as beings, they are connected however in a false nature; through a media system that allows them to create a surface level image on who they are this is very similar and parallel to what we call social media nowadays. In the background is cascades of masks being printed, this is symbolism of the many false identities we claim to create our image as individuals. This is a very extreme viewpoint of how far left humanity can go it’s definitely an otherworldly hellscape but isn’t far off from reality. The overall message of these two worlds colliding is to bring awareness to keep a balance of authenticity, originality and organic image based off who you are and what you’re surrounded by and the other part to balance is to manage what you portray as you don’t be something that you aren’t accept your differences and understand something’s that are you can’t be categorized. However as social beings common grounds and categories connect us as people so managing your authenticity and identity with the many sub groups the world has to offer is the key to living comfortable in your skin and also being accepted by society.
