Original artwork description:

Sean Christopher Ward is an interdisciplinary artist focusing his efforts of painting in the style of op art, with major influences from Masters of the movement, like Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely, who utilize flat design to create depth and kinetic movement through strict hard edges and the utilization of masterfully placed colors side by side or next to negative space to keep the works constantly moving within the optics of the viewer. With works in over 850 permanent and private collections spanning the world, including Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Morocco, Japan, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the US Virgin Islands, the reach of the artwork is expanding as each year progresses. Notable works in private collections include Bob Dylan, Julie Floyd, Julien Hall, Elton John, Milan Kordestani, Aaron Lux, The Center for Women’s Wellness, The ICT Pop-Up Park, The Pixies and Universal Studios Japan.

“Fading Identities” is an homage to the individuals of our past and present, who may not always be there as a picture-perfect image in your mind, but rather, as a general image of their identity. This is not something that is intended to occur, but it is just a process of being human and having fragments, or pieces, of these memories unavailable for recollection. Over time, it is inevitable that the memories begin to fade from their crystal-clear beginnings.

Much like this process of memory, the façade of celebrity status is held on to in the same way. Whilst the celebrity is focused on by society the image remains clear, but as time progresses, the number of images of such celebrity flashing before the eyes of the viewer begins to dwindle. Over time, that celebrity’s image might fade, but pieces will always remain. Those pieces, like long-term memories, are preserved in the mind and in these paintings which thusly help keep the supports of our society alive within the mind.

Materials used:

Acrylic on Wood Panel

Tags:

#portrait #contemporary #pop art #icon #athletics #pop culture #athlete #basketball #op art #optical illusions #optical illusion #chicago bulls #headshot #nba