STEPH LOPEZ ART

Mixed Media (parts of old artworks from 2007 onward, photos, acrylic, cork mat). For the group show Meta Observatory, December 2019, KalawakanSpacetime Gallery. (Photos and details of final artwork courtesy of the gallery/ G. Naguiat).

For this game/ maze, I used parts of old artworks. The following photos are work-in-progress photos.

We were given a concept paper for this before we came up with artworks, and part of it reads: “Meta Observatory is an exhibition of an exhibition of selves. It puts the artist in a position where it is both the observer and the observed – reflecting on his or her selfness as means to create a work of art.”

With this piece, I was able to look back at old pieces, and have seen how my art has changed. Most of my past works were quite macabre, and at the time I was making this piece, “Therapy”, I could not help but ask myself, “why this obsession with cut-up body parts?” :p Perhaps because I was younger, had more anger issues and growing pains, and could not handle emotions well? Perhaps because I had not seen a therapist yet? Or because I had started REGULARLY channeling all those bottled up emotions into (visual) art (and those emotions came in unpredictable waves, rather than a constant flow)?

What I held true then, and now, is that healing is central to (my) art. Whether it’s creating a piece that I mean to be cathartic, ripping, cutting, or breaking things as part of the process, or immersing myself in soothing, repetitive movements of pliers + wire/brush + paint, Art Heals. And if in any way, the artworks inspire/ bring joy/ or “heal” others in a vague, small way – to connect to another – that is a great bonus.

My art has changed over the years. Sometimes, I feel that I have lost my edge. Is it because of age? Is it because art making me “happier” and whole? What I do know is I would not want to go back to that mess of a person I once was. Aside from family, friends, The Divine, and Experience-as-Teacher, I have Art to thank for that.

Today, February 7, I only meant to upload some pictures of past works, but I ended up writing this. I realize that this is Arts Month and the Month of Hearts. For some cheese, I’m going to say I HEART ART. Lol. But, seriously, continuing my art practice is not just an act of expression, or of therapy, but an act of self-care, of self-love. And when there’ self-love, that is only when we can truly give of ourselves.