Artwork title : Multiple skies

The two artworks are portraits that share a common theme. Painted only using acrylic paints, the artworks both depict the sky as seen from my perspective. Yet one shows the figure looking at the sky from a dream world, while the other is of the same figure, observing the sky in real life.

The left artwork shows how I envision the sky when I dream. The shapes drawn in each of the four corners of the canvas represent the different emotions I experience during my dreams. The shape in the upper left corner consisting of yellow and sky blue symbolizes happiness. The two colors were selected for their brightness, which is often associated with positive emotions. The shape in the lower left corner is composed of red and green—colors that symbolize passion and kindness, respectively. As complementary colors, red and green provide viewers a strong impact. The angular shape consisting of blue and orange in the lower right corner represents uniqueness, while the final shape in the upper right corner combined of dark gray and black depicts depression. The figure is then placed in the middle of the four shapes and radiates all of their colors because he embodies all of the respective emotions when dreaming.

In contrast, the artwork on the right shows how I envision the sky when I am awake, which is how others would also normally perceive it in real life. The main figure is placed in the middle of the canvas as he is in the painting on the left, but he is pictured breathing in smoke. The gray smoke, coupled with the white clouds in the background, represents ideas or concepts that are difficult to realize and use in reality. It is only the central figure of the painting who is able to breathe in the smoke—or ideas—to use, recycle, and apply them to real life. 

Ideas for a possible conclusion:

Overall, the two paintings are similar in that they both consist of elements, shapes, and the same main figure who is looking up at the sky. However, the left painting shows the figure doing so while dreaming while the right painting is of him observing the sky in real life. Furthermore, the figure in the left painting lacks agency as he is influenced by various emotions he experiences while dreaming. This is shown by the different colors that are reflected onto his face and neck from the four surrounding shapes. In comparison, the figure on the right is able to act on his own by breathing in smokes and clouds filled with ideas to make them applicable in real life. These different depictions highlight my varying perceptions of dream world vs. real world as the artist.