I'm really proud of my latest piece, and I FINALLY have the space where I can really go into depth about it, so let's hit it.
So, I'm half Chilean, and half Scottish, and to be honest, both of these cultures have a fairly extensive history of civil unrest (in different ways). While in Chile, we had Pinochet's military dictatorship, in Scotland, we are currently seeking independence from under England's heel (obviously depending on who you ask, of course, but I'm fairly sure that after next year's IndyRef, the world will see Scotland's discontent).
Now, I happen to suffer from both panic disorder and agoraphobia (the two are inexorably linked, ofc, and stem from the same roots). As such, active protesting (out in the streets like a badass) isn't the easiest for me.
But you know what comes easily to me?
ART.
And for fuck's sake:
Art can be protest.
Art can be revolutionary.
Art can spark movements.
Art can inspire and art can condemn.
But gah, trying to sound poetic always makes me laugh, because WHO TALKS LIKE THAT, hahahaha. You get me, though. Hopefully.
In any case, this piece is digitally illustrated, but I actually experimented with some AI-generated (Midjourney) background elements to create the chaotic, riotous feeling. In Chile, you can often smell tear gas on the streets when times are rough, and I wanted to evoke that mood, of a young woman caught up in a righteous protest.
So, what is she protesting?
Take your goddamn pick.
It would be easier to ask what my imaginary character ISN'T protesting, given the current global circumstances.
Thanks for reading. God, it's fun to be able to discuss my work in long-form like this!
"Protest" can be found over at SuperRare (clicky clicky for link), for a reserve price of 2.6 $ETH.