Art is a process. There is often more than one correct answer to approach a problem. I create art not only because I am passionate about the work that I do, but also because often what I put out as my work also stems from what is part of me. I put myself and my personality and ideas into my work not only so my art can be more personalized and the audience can relate more with me, but rather it is an extension of how art is my route of expression.
Music and art go hand in hand which serves as a reciprocal relationship. Concentrating in graphic design is only going to help me utilize music and art altogether. I am interested specifically in the intricacies and complexity of album design.
Ever since high school, a passion of mine that has prolonged and evolved would be collecting vinyl. I was no longer listening to music for just the enjoyment of the sound, but now for the philosophy and art which the artist incorporated into their music. Not only did this habit shape my music listening experience as well as expanding my horizons, it also helped me appreciate the art behind a record. When someone buys or listens to an album on a digital platform, the art of the album cover is often lost or hidden. By exposing the cover design on a larger frame forces the viewer to appreciate each aspect of the art behind the music.
As an artist, I am interested in incorporating several design styles to give the audience a better insight of my message. Different types of designs give different outlooks into how each style affects a certain mood. I am fascinated by how a single image can be transformed into different styles using multiple layers and can give multiple messages that affect a wider point of view.
Death. Life. Rebirth. Exploring death as a theme offers a unique yet dark approach to the cyclical process of life. This exhibit explores death through several concepts such as: natural disasters, ancient religious texts, and other concepts relating to death. These concepts surrounding death are implemented on album covers, displaying both sides of the albums, as to show the story being told. Figurative meaning and symbolism play a key role in expressing the realms of death. This thesis exhibit explores death’s role in society and in life through several displays of dark and grim imagery. Utilizing darkness and light together as a motif for death enables the audience to fully grasp the extent of how death is persistent and a door to the next life.
"Bury Me In Smoke"
Utilizing a pattern such as smoke to symbolize death offers a disillusioned aspect of death. The skulls on spikes offer a window into the reality of death. Notice that there are four skulls which represent the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The black background represents the darkness which we will face when we meet our maker.
"God Send Death"
This art piece explores the darkness of religion and its link to death. Using a god-like figure as a subject helps personify a link to death through religion. God is seen as a creator and maker, but his role extends to death just as well. The dark black background is a more clear definition of what death feels like (dark, lonely, and empty) while God's flowing beard represents the souls lost to death.
"Death"
The fourth horseman of the apocalypse known as "Death" rides a pale horse personifying the destruction of an empire. Utilizing imagery from the Catacombs of the Black Vatican, the replication of several skulls piled on top of one another explores the amount of destruction death does on a global scale.
"Fire"
Fire is a common figure used through religious texts and scriptures which offer several interpretations in both life and death. The concept of being burned alive is a fearful concept, but can also be an earthly connection to life as fire is an earthly element.
"Sonic Titan"
Space is often beautiful but with that beauty comes a fair share of loneliness. An astronaut floating in space for an infinite amount offers a deadly seclusion. The astronaut's space cord serves as a symbolic umbilical cord that ties the astronaut from life to death.
"Angel Of Death"
Religious figures such as a nun represent authority and virtue. Using a pious figure to represent death offers a twist on how often figures who are looked up to may have ulterior darker motives. The nun's calming reflection with a drastic bloody background offers the audience an immense contrast of how both life and death are perceived.
"The Four Horsemen"
These four hidden cloaked figures gathered atop an ancient structure such as an ancient temple is a vivid representation of the fall of mankind. Each figure represents a horseman of the apocalypse: Death, Conquest, Famine, and War. In the center of the temple lies a pit which offers a portal into the afterlife.
"Hypnotize"
"Conquest"
The first horseman of the apocalypse, "Conquest" deals with taking over other civilizations. Coming from a modern approach, the topic of nuclear explosion really emphasizes the destruction of mankind. On a global scale, many nations are dealing with arming oneself with nuclear weapons that one seems to forget the fear and destruction it may lead to: death.
"War"
The second Horseman of the Apocalypse, "War", is a cloaked figure riding a red horse. This artwork is a modern interpretation of the horseman of war. Blood represents death and since many people die in war often people who they barely know, the blood represents what soldiers are made of and what they face when facing death.