'Portrait of a Boy with Fractured Identity,' is a meditation on the constant whirlwind of change one faces as they get older. When you're a child, you are a blank canvas. People see you however they want to see you and project any idea they want onto you. As an adult, they will do the same and even after you die. People see you how they want to see you and any deviation from that will leave people confused and frustrated.
When one declares facts about themselves or presents in a new way they cause chaos and distortion in their philosophical appearance especially when those declarations contrast or conflict with people's preconceived notions of you.
In this painting, we see the boy's face obscured by floating eyes and phantom teeth symbolizing the loss of control in his modes of expression. A cavernous passageway opens up behind him showing us the infinite possibilities of his future. He holds an effigy of his future self in his hands and points ahead to the skeleton he will become. The three figures represent a sequential momento mori.
On the right, a proverbial arrow appears and gestures to the boy's unimpeded mouth suggesting that he has more to say. He is within a whirlwind of color and chaos yet he maintains an abstract vision of what he could become. The many layers of paint and multiple mediums used in the creation of this painting suggest that our lives and our identities are made up of countless layers of light, color, and meaning just like the painting.
Standing 56" tall and 36" wide on a gallery wrapped canvas painted in oil, enamel, acrylic, and pastel, 'Portrait of a Boy with Fractured Identity,' is a monumental and allegoric display of love, meaning, and the journey of self discovery.
- Collections: Acrylic Paintings, Oil Paintings