Final Crits are coming!!

This is what I've been working on...

AB Machines

11" x 14"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Empty House

11" x 14"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Trapped

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Canvas

AB Machines and Empty House were both for my Abstract Painting Critique class with Laurel Sparks. Both Paintings were done to and influenced by music. The first "AB Machines" by the band Sleigh Bells and the second, "Empty House" by the band Air, from the Virgin Suicides soundtrack.

Trapped is a painting I'm still working on for my final crit (May 12, 2011). I've been working with the idea of biracial (mixed race) women being seen as "exotic" creatures. This is not by any means to get into the area of sexuality, while I see how it can perceived in that light, it NOT where I mean my content to go! The specific instances I'm thinking of go something like this....

Individual: "So... What are you?" (<-- this has to be my ALL TIME Favorite, "What are you?" I'm f***ing Human! What Are You?!)
Bi/Mixed Race Person: "I'm mixed, (for myself..) my mum is European-American; my father was Mexican/African-American."
Individual: "Oh, Wow, that's really exotic! cool."
Bi/Mixed  Race Person: "Thanks." (???)

There are of course other scenarios for this conversation, but I'm not going to go through all of them now.
This question of "What are you?" definitely grinds my gears! I understand (for the most part) that there is no harm meant by this question however, that being said, it can still be quite hurtful/annoying when you are asked this on a consistent basis. It does start to feel a bit dehumanizing. With the addition of being told how "exotic" you are (again I realize there is no real harm is meant in saying this!), the end result of this conversation can make you feel a little "off".

I digress... back to the painting.... "Trapped". Being caught between two different cultures, races, etc can make a person feel very trapped indeed. There is often a continuous question of "where do I fit in?" "Can I fit into both, all facets that make up who I am?" "Should I just blaze my own trail?" "Does this all really matter?" I certainly feel that it does! Or else I wouldn't be making art about it.

My hope is that by creating works of art that revolve around things that people of mixed race go through and/or think about on a day to day basis, that others will begin to realize/ see, that Yes! It Does matter. To some people, race still does matter, just not in the same way  you may be used to!

~Nomi