“His Escape” Acrylics on canvas, buttons, and sequins H:45.7 cm in x W:60.9 cm
“His Escape” illustrates the emergence of gender roles in America in 2019 that constrain people’s freedom of expression. At the beginning of one’s journey, it is easy to be negatively influenced by the constraints of the fashion industry. The man in my artwork has found beauty in his style after a journey of repression. I collaged buttons into my artwork to represent how fashion has given him the opportunity to explore his identity and style.
“My Happy Place” Photo collage and colored pencils on paper H:30.4 cm x W:43.1 cm
My bedroom is personal, private, and where I think most about my future and how I can restore justice in the world. I illustrated this through a collage with a picture of my room and a mountain range through the window. In the future, I envision myself in the midst of nature, working to fulfill my endless visions to reinstate truth in society. Neil Simone has inspired my artwork because of his use of optical illusions to combine two worlds into one.
“La Isla del Encanto (The Island of Enchantment)” Acrylics on canvas H:45.7 cm x L:60.9 cm Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, where my family lives. Even though the hurricane had unforgiving effects on the island’s infrastructure and environment, the beauty of it continued to thrive. I depicted this beauty through a scene of a dark, destroyed house surrounded by a bright Puerto Rican landscape. I emphasized the bright colors of the landscape and painted the house in the middle of my artwork to show how the beauty of Puerto Rico overpowers the darkness of Hurricane Maria.
“Hi, Hello.” Gouache on paper H:30.1 cm x W:27.9 cm
In America, homosexuality is rejected by society due to institutionalized sexuality discrimination. However, in 2019, the hostility has lessened allowing people to openly express who they love. I depicted the open expression of love between two women through the style of Pamela Sunstrum, who uses bright hues of gouache. I used similar bright hues to illustrate a feeling of happiness and affection budding between them.