The Migrant
Oil and House Paint on Canvas
48" x 34 1/2"
2005

The Migrant was originally a commissioned work intended for use in a theatrical production by the same name. In the final scene of the play, two of the characters, a socially withdrawn Baptist woman and a recently attacked drag queen dance in the rain-soaked street of anywhere USA. The work was intended to be the work of an artist on stage who works on the painting throughout the performance to reveal the finished work of the final scene as it takes place. The painting functioned as a single image that would convey the act of dancing without showing a single distinct moment of the dance. The figures are painted using a perspective other than the perspective used for the background. This serves to show a separation between the figures and their environment while also using the figures’ lines as a formal screen over the background layers, creating a bizarre mix of perception between depth and flatness. The lines representing the different characters were painted and re-painted with acrylic house paint and quickly attained a high level of relief from the rest of the work. Due to the different layering of the work, the imposto became quite unique and the road, sky, buildings, and dancers could all be identified by their different textures. Unfortunately, due to extenuating circumstances, the play was never completed and the work went unclaimed and unpaid for. The artist completed the work on the piece and then decided to alter it forever.