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Description
The model, Prince JayJay, frequently blurs the lines of gender that so many people in our society still cling to with all their might. Their fear of the unknown is palpable, but if only they knew that diversity is our greatest strength! I admire artists like this model who boldly challenge these long-held constructs. Everyone deserves to be their authentic self. In a world where people think pink is for girls and blue is for boys, I say f**k that - stack all the crowns on your head and knock down those closet doors!

The Masks We Wear series

The paintings in this series portray diverse figures who thrive within the outskirts of mainstream society despite being regarded as invisible by the conservative patriarchy. The expressive application of paint gives the subjects a bold physicality and undeniable presence while the gestural, emotive marks suggest their resounding humanity. Masks, often tools for disguise, take on a metaphorical role that connect the models to a greater narrative, engaging a dialogue of identity, otherness, and personal mythology. My treatment of form explores both reality and abstraction, engaging color, shape, and pattern to continuously deconstruct and rebuild. The painterly surface becomes a mask in itself - the visceral, emotive marks reduce the literalness of the depiction while invoking a more substantive connection to the figure and their story.

The Masks We Wear exhibit is on display at Not Sheep Gallery in Columbus, Ohio during the month of October, 2019. For purchase inquires, please contact the gallery director Caren Peterson at caren@notsheepgallery.com or by phone at 614-565-0314. Limited-edition prints are available at paulrichmondstudio.com .

Description
The model, Prince JayJay, frequently blurs the lines of gender that so many people in our society still cling to with all their might. Their fear of the unknown is palpable, but if only they knew that diversity is our greatest strength! I admire artists like this model who boldly challenge these long-held constructs. Everyone deserves to be their authentic self. In a world where people think pink is for girls and blue is for boys, I say f**k that - stack all the crowns on your head and knock down those closet doors!

The Masks We Wear series

The paintings in this series portray diverse figures who thrive within the outskirts of mainstream society despite being regarded as invisible by the conservative patriarchy. The expressive application of paint gives the subjects a bold physicality and undeniable presence while the gestural, emotive marks suggest their resounding humanity. Masks, often tools for disguise, take on a metaphorical role that connect the models to a greater narrative, engaging a dialogue of identity, otherness, and personal mythology. My treatment of form explores both reality and abstraction, engaging color, shape, and pattern to continuously deconstruct and rebuild. The painterly surface becomes a mask in itself - the visceral, emotive marks reduce the literalness of the depiction while invoking a more substantive connection to the figure and their story.

The Masks We Wear exhibit is on display at Not Sheep Gallery in Columbus, Ohio during the month of October, 2019. For purchase inquires, please contact the gallery director Caren Peterson at caren@notsheepgallery.com or by phone at 614-565-0314. Limited-edition prints are available at paulrichmondstudio.com .