War on the Poor Print

This series of paintings explore feelings of loneliness, despair, poverty and death that Picasso experienced between 1901 and 1904. One of the stand out paintings from this period of depression is titled “The Old Guitarist” from 1903, which depicts an old blind beggar playing the guitar for survival. Similar to Picasso, in this time, and many artist creating art, seeking income for survival. I painted “War on the Poor” at a period in my art career when income was few and very far between but I was filled with compassion and confusion for the state of the world around me. I desired to tackle issues bigger than me to expand my worries beyond my own. Ignoring the homeless community in New York City is only possible through numbing you conscience with your own life, whether good or bad. The challenge and frustration comes from trying to find the best and most efficient way to help. Part of the inspiration of this piece came from the Blue Period of Picasso, as I was working out a series of appropriating master paintings as a form of sampling. The majority inspiration came from To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar, specifically the song “Mortal Man”. In the song, Kendrick has a conversation with Tupac, who responds to a question with “The poor people is gonna open up this whole world and swallow up the rich people.” This one quote is the essence and tone of “War on the Poor”. I was able to tap into the loneliness, despair, depression, poverty and rage that I felt in this period.