Project 2

Erick Perez

Artist Statement: “Untitled”

    “Untitled” is a linoleum block representation of cross-cultural traditions hidden to main stream society but understood by those who have inherited the cultures of two or more different ethnicities. For this project, I wanted to bring together two well-known traditions and have them operate as one.

    This idea of cross-cultural traditions, what was inspired this art work, however, after the process of making this began, I was able to make more and more connections between the culture of Mexico and the culture of Northern San Diego, primarily a white inhabited community. It was not my intend to present myself as being of mixed blood, both Mexican and Caucasian, but of a Mexican-American who has been heavily impacted by the traditions of the white, high-middle class community.

The dialogue that these two groups create is what inspired me for this project and other projects. To better communicate my ideas, I used blended two different colors using a technique better known to linoleum block artist as “rainbow rolls.” These “rainbow rolls,” conceptually depicts the idea of two becoming one, and that one, being an unpredictable result of two colors that does not completely fit into either original color.