In this painting, the city is almost there but not quite. It’s imaginary – an imaginary place where everything is as bad as it can be (according to the British dictionary’s definition of dystopia). I choose to keep this as an imaginary place, the setting of novels and stories. I will let it make its own statement, let it be bold in its chaos and lack of physical definition.
“Dystopia” was created by layering acrylic paint then scraping and scratching (in various stages of drying) each layer to expose glimpses of the paint beneath. After applying the final layer of paints, I sprayed the canvas with water, once again scraping and scratching but not as deeply as with the other layers.
In “Dystopia,” I choose to see fantasy but I acknowledge the possibility of reality – a reminder that we all are responsible for our planet, our cities and towns, our citizens, ourselves.