Why the Ear Tag?

When I first began planning out this painting I had initially wanted to make this snow leopard into a stuffed wall mount. As I was painting though, it seemed the idea was too over the top and lacked the intellectual challenge some of the other paintings have. An ear tag was just a concept that came to me and originally had a number painted on it. The number; however, added something viewers could read too much into whereas a blank ear tag leaves you pondering. 

Barcodes are a symbol of consumption and commerce because we see them on nearly everything we buy as we check out, at least in stores. This is why I titled the painting a literal barcode as in a series of lines that vary in thickness. Our impact and presence is felt almost everywhere as we leave a trail of bread crumbs where we visit. Only instead of bread crumbs we leave trash, devastated habitats, or polluted waters and lands. We are attempting to turn our actions around which is a great! Hope is key and the future is dependent on what those actions are. 

This painting is now available as a limited edition print. You can find it in my shop! 

"(Barcode)"    2017 (36"x48")     Acrylic on canvas

Butts

Haha Butts... 

The word carries a connotation of something we see as sexy but in this case is rather disgusting, which some people might think butts are too I guess. All the cigarette butts in this piece (around 800) were gathered and picked up off the ground in areas around me. For example, I collected some from local parks near my house and some from the Aurora Campus. 

The piece itself does not look too appalling, yet the smell in person and image of me, the artist, picking these up as I go about my day is what is interesting. There is also something intriguing about the contrast between a pristine white box filled with something most people would deem gross. 

Cigarette Butts, wood, paper, pins, glue, and wood (48" x 48") 2017

Fetch

Hurricanes are devastating storms, but even more devastating when there is three major hurricanes in one year that hit the Unites States alone (2017). This painting was inspired by the increasing number of cities underwater.

This painting was inspired by the three hurricanes that hit the U.S. last summer. Hurricane Harvey, Maria and Irma were all devastating to different parts of the U.S. This painting is part of my current body of work which depicts dystopias, which could be interpreted as futuristic, a representation of the 'now' or just a surreal image of a dreamlike idea. 

This piece is now available as a print! You can find it in my shop on chrisallenart.com

Acrylic on canvas (48" x 60") 2017

Rhino

This painting is now available as a print! You can find them in my shop and also let me know what you think of this piece in the comment section. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the painting.

Rhinos are poached for their ivory horns, and despite conservation efforts over the past couple decades are still on the endangered list. The ivory ban I'm sure has helped and hopefully will eventually end the poaching of these animals. The text that is tagged on the rhino's back relates to art as well as sustainability and environmental concerns. 

Acrylic on canvas (48" x 48") 2017