THE OTHER SIDE
Beverly Hills Without a Housekeeper
(after David Hockney, Beverly Hills Housewife,1966)
(after David Hockney, Beverly Hills Housewife,1966)
Date: 2019 - Ongoing
Exhibit: My American Experience - O'hanlon Online Gallery Show
The Other Side is a series of illustrations that respond to Ramiro Gomez's Domestics Scenes after his response to David Hockney's paintings. This project reframes Hockney's architectural scenes by illustrating an alternative environment in which undocumented labor workers are removed. This shifts the gaze of prominent architectural scenes by showing the disarray that would occur if these workers could no longer maintain these idealistic scenes due to deportation. Overgrown grass and hedges, dirty windows and floors, grimy bathrooms, and crumbling roofs are displayed and unable to be overlooked.
Many of my family members are hard-working immigrants. Growing up, my summers and school weeknights consisted of joining my family on their cleaning routes at corporate offices and a few homes. We performed these domestic chores to support our family and ensure the convenience and cleanliness of spaces. Throughout the increasingly racist rhetoric of the current Trump administration, I have come across disrespectful remarks and behaviors from people, some of whom I had considered friends. However, despite these comments, presidential tweet threats, and constant ICE raids, my family and many other families continue to work hard. With this project, I intend to show an alternative reality in the absence of undocumented labor workers.
Exhibit: My American Experience - O'hanlon Online Gallery Show
The Other Side is a series of illustrations that respond to Ramiro Gomez's Domestics Scenes after his response to David Hockney's paintings. This project reframes Hockney's architectural scenes by illustrating an alternative environment in which undocumented labor workers are removed. This shifts the gaze of prominent architectural scenes by showing the disarray that would occur if these workers could no longer maintain these idealistic scenes due to deportation. Overgrown grass and hedges, dirty windows and floors, grimy bathrooms, and crumbling roofs are displayed and unable to be overlooked.
Many of my family members are hard-working immigrants. Growing up, my summers and school weeknights consisted of joining my family on their cleaning routes at corporate offices and a few homes. We performed these domestic chores to support our family and ensure the convenience and cleanliness of spaces. Throughout the increasingly racist rhetoric of the current Trump administration, I have come across disrespectful remarks and behaviors from people, some of whom I had considered friends. However, despite these comments, presidential tweet threats, and constant ICE raids, my family and many other families continue to work hard. With this project, I intend to show an alternative reality in the absence of undocumented labor workers.
Titus Kaphar: Can Art Make History: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDaldVHUedI
Ramiro Gomez: Domestic Scenes: www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/magazine/ramiro-gomezs-domestic-disturbances.html
A Lawn Without Gardeners.
(after David Hockney’s A Lawn Being Sprinkled). Not Being Able to Splash
(after David Hockney, A Bigger Splash) |
A Shower Without Housekeeping In Beverly Hills
(after David Hockney, Man Taking Shower In Beverly Hills, 1964) A Pool Without Maintenance
(after David Hockney, Pool With Two Figures 1972) |