Artwork title : Mint Max

Artwork Title: Mint Max

Technique: Oil on canvas

Year of Realisation: 2021

Height: 91.44 cm / 36 inches

Width: 91.44 cm / 36 inches

Depth: 3.8cm / 1.5 inches

Artist Statement

“Mint Max” is a truly unique visual narrative of an identity that is non-conforming in every sense and is expressed through cultural symbolism, neuroaesthetics, colour psychology, and a reimagined anatomy in this high chromatic abstract portrait in oil on canvas.

This piece is inspired by Max Hovey, the British writer, online influencer, and activist, who uses his online public platforms to promote and discuss LGBTQI+, mental health and body positivity. Max challenges toxic societal norms while also expressing his own vulnerabilities surrounding mental health.

The subject believes his eyes to be his most identifiable feature. Reflecting on the ideas attached to the human eye such as vision, sight and perception, the painting recalls the mystical and esoteric concept of third eye (also called the mind's eye) which is represented abstractly on the forehead and literally as a third vertical eye on the face. In this piece it represents perception beyond ordinary sight.

Building on the central theme of vision, I incorporated depictions of a rainbow which represents, hope, luck, new beginnings, and equality in many cultures. It is this latter cultural meaning that inspired the 1979 version of the LGBTQA+ community flag which is the version that is most prevalent in my personal life. Many people don’t realise that each hue in the rainbow flag has a meaning that the LGBTQA+ community care deeply about. Red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for serenity, and violet for spirit.

While the pride rainbow was a source of inspiration for the bold colour palette, it is dominated by a cool mint green hue that the subject says they identify with for its ability to evoke a sense of calm and tranquillity. However, psychology tells us that humans tend to seek out colours that stimulate emotions which complement their natural emotional state. Informed by this universal insight, the palette embraces green which is regarded as the most restful and relaxing colour for the human eye and introduces opposing red and purple hues to provide a balanced colour story of the subject’s natural versus desired emotional state.