Very Unwise to Undermine an Underdog

2018

wheat-pasted tracing paper; straight pins; matboard; foamcore; tissue box carboard; mixed media sketch paper; tea stain; metallic silver acrylic paint; black, red, blue, and yellow India ink; gesso; hot glue; tire pressure valve stems caps; and a ping-pong ball

13x14 1/2x7in.

This is a riff off of an old work I made about seven or eight years before. Part of this was a test to see how much I’d learned within that timespan as far as material usage. During that time I’d moved from one overarching narrative to another and this was a chance for me to return to my older concepts and elaborate based on what I’d discovered researching the new. The term “underdog” here uses the literal meaning and is also a reference to where some assume Hell is located, underground, plus the lack of respect a majority would have for the beings inhabiting such a place. Like a “dog” just meant to obey. This work also continues ideas from works such as To the Unknown… The title is a caution to not underestimate or cast aside someone who is somehow different from the majority and underscores that different does not always mean less. The work shows a demon screaming out in both agony and anger because of the way the audience’s initial reaction based on the abject nature of the work as well the viewers’ preconceived notions of a demon.