Balloons in BOLD

The black-bagged prisoner. An image seared into the collective consciousness of many growing up during the Iraq war. The torture victims at CIA black-sites became an emblem for the soulless cruelty and hypocrisy of a nation posturing as a champion for democracy and civil rights. It’s been said many times before, that the colonial tactics of dehumanization pioneered and refined abroad will eventually manifest in a police state back at home.

Fascist thugs terrorize our communities with guns and tear gas, with seeming impunity. The rights set out in the constitution meant to protect us from exactly such despotic abuses are collapsing like wet cardboard. The judicial system is compromised. The house and senate are feckless.

But while national leaders continue to evade accountability, there is hope. With a united voice, we have the power to affect change at a city and county level. ICE relies on cooperation from local departments to operate efficiently. We can call out our local representatives for their complacency or complicit engagement with forces threatening our rights to due process.

I’ll be attending Houston’s city hall again on December 16th to stand up for the humanity of my fellow neighbors and the rights we share together. Please join me here or at your local town hall to demand an end to collaboration with ICE. More info in the comments.

"A Struggle In Secret"
This is the first painting as part of my Samson series. I initially intended only to paint a serviceable background on which to photograph its accompanying balloon sculpture, but as I began to lay down each layer, the painting demanded more and more of me.

The scale of 6x7ft is effective in enveloping the viewer when up close. I wanted to feel like you could fall into the void, and there remain trapped. Surrounding the painted section is a collage, built up from ancient biblical text replicas, through King James pages, covered by cult material from the generation before me, and at the surface, the propaganda that instructed my worldview growing up.

This piece took well over a year to finish. It was a vehicle to reconcile with my past and the unique journey that brought me to where I am today. The full artist statement can be found in the link in the comments.

I set the bar high with this first part in the series and far exceeded it with the second part. Its intimidating to work at such scale while trying to meet the standard previously set. Its been over a year since I've last painted, but the final piece is slowly coming together in my mind.

7:00pm tomorrow at 8th Wonder Brewery. This installation is up for one weekend only so don't miss it!