Reflection

Reflection

“Bruh, it’s another story about the freaking LA fires.” My friend rolls their eyes. “Wait, what do you mean by that?” “Oh, it’s just so depressing. Like obviously, it’s a big deal, but it’s just Insta story after Insta story, and it’s like, get over it.” I thought momentarily, their lack of empathy shocked me, but I didn’t know what to say. People died. 16,000 buildings destroyed. How were they so numb? I set out to convey my frustrations, seeking liberation in being creative. I wanted to use acrylics as they’re versatile and I’ve worked with them a lot. At first glance, there’s urgency in the wide eyes. The world is ablaze, inspired by the LA fires, and a mountain of trash burns. The figures at the bottom, their faces illuminated by phones, represent the ‘apathetic’ part of society. Surrounded by all they know, green, they are oblivious to the flames above them. It’s not just that our generation is unaware of what's going on; it’s that all the news that we hear doesn’t seem imminent. Our place in the world is characterized by being so overwhelmed by issues that it’s hard to put ourselves in others’ shoes. However, rather than my painting being taken as a judgment towards urbanization, view it as a message of possibility. The beautiful colors and shapes in each individual represent the potential of a person, and the clouds symbolize the hope we still have for the future.