My contribution to “What Has Changed?” The Orange County public library system has partnered with Sam Flax of Orlando to commemorate Pulse. Sam Flax donated art supplies to local artists for us to consider the question, “What has changed?” The upcoming show addresses the impact artists feel the Pulse shooting had on our community. Come see the results on June 15th at the Orlando Public Library where the reception will be held. My contribution borrow the symbolism found in vanitas, Latin culture, and playing alongside of my commonly seen animal imagery to remind Orlando citizens that while the City Beautiful can for the most part be a safe haven for those in the LGBTQ community, Florida itself still has a long way to go as far as legislation is concerned with equal rights. The pheasant is a totem for creativity, sexuality, love, and passion. The goose is a symbol for bravery, protection, navigation, and teamwork. However, many stories in popular culture depict geese as dim witted easy to excite buffoons with a mob mentality. If the top of the piece represent the kinetic and the victims and the bottom represent the potential and the community, which opinion of the goose would you prefer projected onto you?
Opening night, June 15, 2017 at the Orange County downtown library.
According to their Facebook event info, “In September 2016, the Orange County Library System partnered with local art-supply store Sam Flax of Orlando for Paint Strong Orlando, an art show consisting of nearly 300 works of art made in response to the shooting at Pulse nightclub. All of the art supplies were donated by Sam Flax, and the artists were asked to create work that reflected the strength of the community.
One year after the Pulse tragedy, the Library is working with Sam Flax again, this time to present a new show to commemorate Pulse. Sam Flax has donated the supplies again and this time asks artists to consider this question: What Has Changed? The show addresses the impact artists feel the Pulse shooting has had on our community.”
music performances by The Orlando Gay And Latin guitar/percussionists Antone Affronti and Adalberto Bravo.
Various shots of the opening reception.
Progress shots.
Progress shot. Template drawn.
More progression shots. Prismacolor colored pencils and watercolors in the background.
