The Awakening: Art in Times of Pandemic
Interactive painting of Starry Night. All photos courtesy of Pablo Gonzalez Flores.
By Pablo Gonzalez Flores
I have always been passionate about art. I create works of art that are relevant to my time and space that express emotions and have stories to tell. As a teenager, I wanted to create important artwork for my community, and so I did. From making monumental murals in my middle school to large paintings in college, I have always had this desire to create works of art for my community. On my middle school wall, I painted cougars of different colors. This represented the diversity of my school, and how like cougars we all had our own essence and uniqueness. In college, I painted women representing the strength of our continent, from the top of Canada to the tip of Chile. All of them wore their nations in their dresses. My goal was to show we are one, united. Somewhere along the road of life I became an accountant. I found great joy in helping others, but when COVID-19 hit the world, everything stopped. As the world closed, everything changed. I myself changed. I had the time once again to create. The pandemic for me was a time to rediscover and reinvent myself. When 2021 rolled around I received a great opportunity when I applied and became the first artist-in-residence at the world renowned Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in Las Vegas, located at the Crystals in City Center. This was my opportunity to consistently create art in a nurturing environment that helped me explore my own artistic expressions. I had the idea to create a connection with what people were experiencing during COVID-19.
Zoomorphic Flower.
I created zoomorphic flowers, which are a fusion of nature and human experiences during this pandemic. The center of the flower represents the individualized experiences each person had, whether sweet like a pineapple or sour like a lime. Some of us experienced profound sadness, such as in the loss of loved ones, while others may have tasted the sweet in finally having time to spend with their families. The center is a symbolic circle. Encased in our own isolation, the circle is the symbol of the 6 feet of social distance we all came to abide by. The petals all vary in shape, size, and color with each painting. This symbolized the many variations the virus took on. Each painting evolved just as the virus constantly mutated, making the artwork itself a unique representation of COVID-19.
Inspired by these emotions of social distancing, I created a new form of artistic expression, I called interactive painting. I felt the disconnect around me and sought to join us together again. Interactive painting starts with my single brushstroke, and then I ask each guest to add their own brushstroke. One by one everyone would add their piece and then a beautiful flower would begin to form. People who weren’t allowed within 6 feet of each other were now connected through paint. At the end you could see the many personalities through the brush strokes. Some had timid thin strokes, others had chaotic and destructive brush strokes. Some artistic, and others delicate and precise. These paintings showcased a spectrum of society, and how an all-inclusive environment cannot be controlled. It’s no secret that our world is divided. The pandemic created a disconnect. As an artist, I am bringing society together one painting at a time. Each brushstroke symbolizes a piece of humanity. One’s own relative truth shines through in this inclusive environment of Interactivism. Exploring new ways of, seeing, living, and experiencing art.
My art dives deeper into the intrinsic thoughts of humans and our primal emotions. Not only are we disconnected from each other, but with nature as well. My use of zoomorphic art creates a beautiful fusion with nature and human experiences. The interactive paintings that I created during my residency brought together different emotions expressed by people from all over the world of all religions and all races as one humanity united by art, in times of pandemic.
This project lasted for two cycles and ended in 2021. Today I continue to use these two forms of artistic expressions: Zoomorphism as my source of inspiration and artistic philosophy that I incorporate into all my paintings, and Interactivism as an artistic expression that I would like to see grow not only as my personal practice, but also as a movement.
Interactive painting of a flower.
Pablo Gonzalez Flores is not your ordinary artist. From his childhood, he has been creating unique and unconventional works of art that capture the eye of many. Letters and numbers have always fascinated him, and his love for them only grew when he discovered the magic of polychromatic combinations of color.
As a young artist, Pablo's inspiration came from ancient American civilizations. In particular, he was fascinated by a sculpture of Quetzalcoatl, whose name translates to Beautiful Fusion. This sculpture embodies the duality of nature, representing both the creative and destructive forces of nature, as well as the balance between them. Pablo's fascination for incorporating human experiences and the force of nature is evident in his works. He often features zoomorphic art that combines vibrant colors with deep symbolic meaning.
Pablo's artistic expression is a testament to his unique vision and his ability to breathe life into his art. He once said, "Blending colors is a way of creating life, by exhaling your own essence onto the painting." His works are a beautiful fusion of his essence and the world around him. Today, his works are celebrated by art lovers around the world for their vivid colors, intricate designs, and deep meaning.
In addition to being a visionary artist with a unique perspective, Pablo Gonzalez Flores has achieved great success in the art world. His works have been featured in a variety of publications, and he has won several awards and recognitions for his contributions to the world of art. He is constantly experimenting with new techniques and mediums, which allows him to evolve and grow as an artist. His legacy continues as one of beauty, innovation, and creative exploration.