To be completely honest, in the spirit of this being a "blog", I'll admit that by the time the Interim Show came around I was struggling with a bit of artists block, probably due to the seasonal mood shift (aka winter making me a little depressed) and a bit of anxiety coming from some complicated family situations. So, I was feeling more stressed than excited about this show and when I started painting I didn't really have a plan. In retrospect, this was the end of a cycle for my artistic journey... this would be the last painting I made in a while, but it was also the painting that caused all the conversations that led to my dissertation.
Des-Olvido (WIP), Acrylic Paint on Canvas
Listened to about 50 hours of podcasts while painting this. Also listened to lots and lots of Hermanos Gutierrez. Used some spray paint, watery acrylic paint, embroidery thread, synthetic string, and lots of improvisation.
Des-Olvido (WIP), Acrylic Paint and Embroidery Thread on Canvas
This was the final painting/hanging thing before packing it up and taking it to the gallery space. Before the being hung up on the big white wall (next to a huge and rather daunting painting) I felt a sort of kindness and affection towards my painting. I knew it was a painting of the mountains around Medellin, a painting of Colombia's rain and memory, and an expression of my own experiences. Although I wasn't particularly in love with the final result, I was at peace with the process.
More importantly, I was able to let go of my individual piece and focus on the exhibit as a whole, being on the curation and installation committee and all.
Des-Olvido, Acrylic Paint, Embroidery Thread
and Synthetic String on Canvas
Des-Olvido, Acrylic Paint, Embroidery Thread and Synthetic String on Canvas
Talking about my work with people who lingered and asked, I realized what I wanted (and needed) my dissertation to be about. I also realized that sometimes, I like words more than painting to communicate complex feelings, stories, and concepts.
The themes that seeped out of my painting were; Colombian history, collective memory and collective trauma, healing trauma, and how art can communicate the need for healing, and the need to release repressed or forgotten feelings and stories...
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