The Portrait Of A Has Been

Rafael Torrejon |The Portrait Of A Has Been

Arylic on Canvas

10"x 12"

2021

The piece shows the has-beens, the people who have been left and be swollen by the endless thoughts humanity has given us. The artwork portrayed a sense of emotional baggage which it could not be controlled. Giving anger, frustration, and tension. It is rather that the emotion is emphasized in the facial expression of the subject, depicting the uncontrollable madness which is going to happen. It also has been emphasized the lighting that changes the mood to be dramatic and serious which also corresponds to the colors of black and white. Not just to the has-beens, but humanity itself could reflect on the negative aspects of what we observe. Even if we are not to be left behind, we still feel the guilt of being left and the frustration of living.

"Emotion is a complicated yet beautiful spectrum in our brain, more so in the person's heart. It gives us an opportunity to feel it in a body of work or even portray it to others. Showing emotion is the foundation of my art, it is what I cannot speak out in works but through my hands and the language of my skills. Through time, I have witnessed different emotions that I cannot say to others which silences me. Whether it is loneliness, sadness, or even anger these are my inspirations to create pieces that project what I have felt in the moment. I cast these emotions through characters or subjects to which the audience can relate through self-portraits or made-up people. This deepens the meaning of the art more than just expecting them to recognize what it means by just looking at the piece. My works give curiosity to the mind of the audience that creates realizations of themselves and what they experience as well. I want to show people what I feel and reflect upon theirs, I want them to think about what my art feels for them. My artworks are personal moments in my life that I journalize by drawing. I am silent, but what I do makes me speak up to everyone." - Rafael Torrejon