Original artwork description:

This piece started by staining canvas using cempasúchil (marigold) pigment, extracted from the emblematic plants grown and harvested every year for Day of the Dead celebrations here in Oaxaca.

The golden yellow of the pigment gave a great base for the rich colours in the eye and then the chartreuse green too.

I wanted to create something which captures the attention and creates a dialogue between the piece and the viewer. As painting is typically a one-sided transaction due to it being static and immutable in nature. So this piece is an attempt to question that relationship and allow for the spectator and piece to swap roles for a moment.

Materials used:

Oil paint and natural pigments on canvas

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