Behind the Painting: Percolation Series
Preface
This series of paintings was created during the spring of 2020. I was in the second semester of my senior year of college, and I had loosely created a basic concept for my final project for Figure Painting. Right as I began painting, the COVID-19 pandemic began. I now had to complete this series of paintings quarantined in my apartment rather than in the studio surrounded by peers and mentors. The state of the world drastically changed the feeling, style, and message of this series. I took it in a more inward direction, trying to grasp the unpredictability and chaotic nature of life and situations. I wanted to focus on telling a story that could be interpreted in different ways. The beauty of art is that it means something different to everyone. For me, this series was therapeutic in dealing with the state of the world in that moment.
Artist Statement
This series is a look at the process of slowly passing through moments, addressing the individual’s journey & impact through the phases of life. The naming of the series comes from the Latin word “percolare” which means “to strain through”. The series takes the viewer on a journey through exploration and self-discovery, along with incorporating ideas of purpose and chance.
In chronological order, the first painting, titled “Percolating”, addresses the world as a whole, illustrating how each individual makes up the other’s surroundings. Every figure is on their own path, whether they like it or not. Some figures pass over each other, staring off into the distance, while others catch glimpses of other figures’ journeys. This can be interpreted as a reflection of our own world, catching glimpses of other people’s journeys while we are busy living our own. The figures are neither male nor female; they represent our souls being pulled in different directions, hence the stretched out arms being pulled by outside forces. The figures that are engaged with each other are brought together by chance, and they get a moment to live in each other’s’ journeys. But everyone is merely passing through, being pulled in whichever direction they are supposed to, just as we are.
The second and third paintings take a look at the individual soul, both with and without companionship. “Percolates” zooms in on two figures from the first painting who have made eye contact, showing that they are connected in this moment. From far away, the figures are smooth and perfect (as seen in “Percolating”) but when zoomed in, there is dense texture and expression that we can’t see from far away. The close-ups are abstract, almost incomprehensible, but they are ornate and unique, each one different from the rest. “Percolate” focuses on an individual without companionship, seemingly alone in this moment. They stare directly at the viewer, searching for someone to love and be loved by. The tone is more somber and dark, alluding to feelings of sadness and loneliness.
The final painting, titled “Percolated”, shows the aftermath of percolation. Once everyone has passed through, there is just pure calmness and serenity. There is no crowding, no strain, no loneliness; just the pure beauty of life remains.
Overall, the series as whole attempts to shed light on our own personal journeys through life, incorporating how we impact and are impacted by others.
