I am currently having six pieces in a group show called "Future Tense: What has (not) happened (yet)" at the Drawing Room Annex in the Mission. It's a group show of 27 local SF based artists, each independently sharing works reflecting on the election, in the current state of a global pandemic crisis, amidst regional natural disasters such as wildfires, floods and hurricanes. Artists were asked to share what is most pressing for them to survive and work through all of the layers of crisis and trauma and looking ahead to what is to come.
The end of the world could take many forms. From time to time I stumble upon articles about Silicon Valley tech billionaires and their crazy ideas how to prepare for doomsday. We hope this never happens, but at some point we know it is inevitable that either an economic collapse, a pandemic or a natural disaster will send the world into social disarray and disorientation which will potentially result in barbaric behavior. It's not likely that you belong to the one percent ready to board a private jet to your property on a lonely island or to the ones fleeing into a nuclear bunker or luxury submarine. So what would you pack to survive for the next couple of weeks or month?
My newest piece “The day after tomorrow” shows a lone survivor wandering down Mission Street. My weapon of choice for survival wouldn't be a katana, but maybe it was the only thing this guy had on hand and he takes the delicate sword that he had placed on display over the fireplace when he ventures out in the neighborhood with his puppy. If you know how to use it, a katana is great for protection. It scares potential attackers away, you don't run out of ammo and you can cut through many things.
People may stay civil at first and help each other but eventually there will be a breaking point when hope dies and most likely everyone will do everything necessary to provide for their family, including looting and taking from others. Then aside from food, shelter, and medical supplies, you need to protect yourself.
The Corona outbreak is certainly a unique experience in our lifetime, and something that the entire world will have gone through to one degree or another. I am sure people are looking at my paintings in a very different way at the moment. If you want to check out my artwork, make an appointment with the gallery. The final "open house" will be on November 27th, the day after Thanksgiving.