“If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams.”  (Yann Martel, Life of Pi)

I am pleased to donate this print, “Self on Self” to the 7 x 7 Auction to benefit Ruminate Magazine. Ruminate is a wonderful publication that brings art and literature forward for the purpose of giving hope. I love the idea that artists can donate their work to support this publication.

I am pleased to donate this print, “Self on Self” to the 7 x 7 Auction to benefit Ruminate Magazine. Ruminate is a wonderful publication that brings art and literature forward for the purpose of giving hope. I love the idea that artists can donate their work to support this publication.

7x7

I created this piece after my first viewing of the film, “Life of Pi.” I was especially inspired by the scene when Pi, the main character, realizes that everything he sees in the tiger is a reflection of himself. During his journey he imposed a version of reality on Richard Parker(the tiger) which only existed in his own mind. 

In conjuring mental images of ourselves, we can picture a general shadow of what expect we are seen to be. My work dances around this question of who is that which I call me, a dilemma we all wrestle with. Do we paint a picture of who we’d like to be to others, to ourselves? In “Till We Have Faces” style, is it best to paint onto ourselves the forgiveness that we are covered with by Christ, painting over our faults to become like him. In style I am inspired by such disparate influences from my Art Nouveau heroes Alphonse Mucha and Antoni Gaudi to contemporary muralists Shepherd Fairey and Swoon. My art and research center on Public Art as well as explorations in economic justice, the state of the art world, and the role of arts activism in advocacy of human rights issues.

 

The details: All proceeds from the auction will benefit the publication of Ruminate Magazine–we appreciate your support! Click on each individual piece to read more about the artist and the creative process behind that specific 7×7 inch artwork. If you bid on a piece, be sure to check back often to see if you have been outbid. The auction closes at 8pm MST on Saturday September 14th.