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My work has always interrogated systems of power through counter-hegemonic narratives. This project was started earlier in the year and the coming of the protests fueled its completion. The perspective is intended for the viewer to feel as part of this heightened moment of reflection on the front lines of a battle. The two symbolic gestures are ones that largely define our times. As a child of immigrants, American culture was something I needed to discover for myself. The influential hip-hop group Public Enemy helped give me language to describe the inequities I was living and seeing. “Elvis Was a Hero to Most…” is a phrase from one of their most powerful songs “Fight The Power”. Although pointed in content, there was a series of moments where I was able to get lost in the process of painting and explore a liminal space where only marks, color, and rhythm mattered.

Pablo Andres Cristi

pabloandrescristi@gmail.com