Jeffery
DECONSTRUCTED SELF PORTRAIT
acrylic paint on acrylic panel and wood
"Divisions of An Understanding"
Culture is strong, and it plays a big role in many of our lives. Some people
have a strong sense of their culture, which has been passed down through traditions
their family has practiced. Some people have mixed cultures, while others have
become distant from these cultures that seem to define them. Culture is not always
race, but also religious beliefs, gender, and social interests.
In this piece I wanted to explore the variety in my own cultures by peeling
away at the stylistic art of my own cultures. I wanted to explore the duality in my
own life and culture along with exploring the gap in my own culture. The Japanese
culture in my family is one that I personally have been distanced from. The opposing
Hispanic culture is one that I have been indulged in. The cultures are very different
and I wanted to show them fused together and existing harmonically.
The layers in this painting are symbolic of the layers present in the person
that is presented. A transparent layer is used to co-exist these cultures as well as
reveal a deeper understanding of them. These layers make someone who they are.
This piece, for me, becomes a search for understanding and finding balance between
Figuratively the piece represents myself divided along with this actualization
of diversity and mixing of cultures. This defines me, and sometimes the un-
doubtable style I have in my art. Identity is literally “who someone is?” Culture can
bring up the questions of “sameness.” This is where someone feels they fit in. I
wanted to get at the very essence of my identity and why I felt lost in it.
I love the overlaying of material to capture another layer in dimension and tradition. The color palette of vibrant colors to represent a specific culture you have is easily seen across. My favorite aspect of your image is how you rendered the fish and faces in the back. The lights and darks in it really make it look realistic and not flat at all. I almost wish I could see even more layers or more faces set at the center. This piece is very appealing to the eye.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey you have keen sense of color. Your color choices reflect your different cultural background. The warm vibrant colors represent your Hispanic side and the cool muted tones represent your Japanese background. Because of your color choices and icons, I immediately understood your painting upon viewing it. My favorite part of this painting is the layers of faces. Personally I would like to see a face pointed towards the right, though I don't think this is necessary.
ReplyDeleteI really like this painting, but I almost wish you hadnt added the blue face on top....because the face on the bottom layer was so awesome! However, I do understand your concept and I know why the face there. Your painting consists of contrasting colors and cultures, but they are balanced well. The colors you chose are amazing and so vibrant. Everything you said in your artist statement is captured in your piece; you achieved your goals, awesome!
ReplyDeletenice painting that captures your intention well and contrasts well. the layering aspect it aslo really cool and I really like that you paint on wood. the only thing id say it bolder strokes in the floral and decorative aspects with cleaner lines but really good stuff
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw you working on this, I was curious to see where it would go and I was surprised with the final result. Culture is really important to who we are, I remember in class once where we were asked, what made us who we are, and almost everyone said culture. I think it would be hard to effectively mix Hispanic with Japanese, but you did a great job of bringing them together and creating that harmony. I would have liked if the blue face was just a bit more translucent.
ReplyDeleteThis painting has a beautiful concept of the life of many in New Mexico. This is a melting pot of some of the most interesting people i have met. The thing that does not work for me in this painting is the blue face elevated about the others. There is allot of motion going on in the middle and it is a bit distracting for me. Other than that the Asian influence is beautiful work for a student of our caliber.
ReplyDeleteI like that the faces aren't looking in three distinct places. It feels like they're trying to become one but are struggling to find that center point where they can all exist. Which goes great with your concept. trying to find a belonging in cultural worlds that can be completely different. I love how well the bold bright colors compliment the soft blues and deep blacks. This is a beautiful painting.
ReplyDeleteI think that this piece and your artist's statement are very clear on expressing the idea of your culture and cultural identity.
ReplyDeleteI think you have been successful in creating a harmonized piece with these two styles, and the piece does not really create confusion for me. The one aspect that I am curious about is how even in this one piece you seem to divide these cultures from one another, and you do so in a reflection of how you have been raised (Hispanic in the top of the frame where the light is, and Japanese in the lower frame where it is darker. I think that this is not necessarily a bad choice, but it makes me question the acttual fuzing of your cultures in this piece. I see them harmonized in many ways, but I still feel like there is a divide.
This contrast is simultaneously enforced and negated by the blue face. One the one hand it joins your two portraits and creates a new identity - the fuzing, but on the other hand the two faces behind are still very divided.
As a piece where you explore your cultural heritage and seek to represent that heritage as it is, I think you are very successful, but I think that as a fuzing of your identity into one cohesive idea/identity, you still need some more work.
Overall this is a beautiful painting and it is very enjoyable to look at. Good work!
I remember looking at your piece when you were about 1/3 of the way through, and really feel that you achieved what you wanted within the piece. I think you really did a great job at incorporating two cultures into one piece, without making it look over worked! The opposite color palates for each culture really works wonderfully and I think the Plexiglas really added to the piece as a whole. :)
ReplyDeleteI love love your use of materials in this :) I love the style of painting, the use of dimension, the contrasting color pallet. The different facets of your face imply different facets of self, which I enjoy. The painting's dynamic elements add character and interest, the movement possibly indicative of your personality or life. This is a great piece!
ReplyDelete