Faces and Mask

In Collections

Creativity in the Time of COVID-19

Copyright Status

In Copyright

Date Created

2019/2022

Artists

Smith, Chance

Subjects

COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- , in art

Material Type

Mixed media works

Language

No linguistic content

Extent

6 paintings

Genre Note

Watercolor and ink

Exhibit Label

Feeling trapped, isolated, peaceful, artistic, and so many other emotions were heavy on my heart and mind during quarantine. So, every time I created these pieces, I sat down and just allowed the emotion to take over. I typically used known color relationships, which would help set the foundation for how I wanted to interpret the specific emotion I was feeling. I then typically pulled on a motif such as elements of broken glass or I simply played with the watercolor until I was content with what was on the paper. I am a Black Queer man, so all my pieces have elements of femininity and masculinity as well as a range of hairstyles. Everything I create is a little Queer and a little Africana. I want to center Queerness and Blackness in all forms of art. Each painting is a reflection of what I was internally feeling that was difficult to express. When an audience views them, I like to hear the interpretations because the pandemic affected everyone so differently. All of our processes and emotions are valid. I kept thinking about how an aspect of this "new life" we were all living made me feel until I had a complete piece of art in front of me. --Label design by exhibit curator Nancy DeJoy. Labels written by Ben Lash and his team in consultation with artist statements.

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1 of 1: Faces and Mask. Part 03