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Retratos de los Muertos

Travis Hetman

October 11 – November 5, 2017

ARTIST STATEMENT

This body of work sets out to explore the under-the-surface realities of who we really are. Space explodes from random shoulders and bright colors scatter throughout in order to deconstruct and perhaps even playfully attack the powerful notion that we are an ego locked up in a bag of bones, quite separate from the external world. A more interconnected concept of identity might begin to shine throughout these works. Much like gazing upon the stars on a cloudless night though, one might find oneself with more questions than answers and I think that’s where the fun begins! Reflecting on ultimate purpose, identity, death and the like is a very heavy game. When navigating between meaning and meaninglessness though, there is also always plenty of room for a chuckle at the absurdity and beauty of it all.

CURATOR NOTES

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday that focuses on gathering family and friends to pray for and remember loved ones who have passed. Altars are created to invite souls of the deceased to come back for a visit and often feature photos of the deceased.

Retratos de los Muertos (portraits of the dead) features portraits of those remembered and those forgotten. The exhibition honors the spiritual journey our loved ones have taken and questions the impact of memories.

Curator: Jessica Kooiman Parker, gallery@firehouseart.org