Feral Feudal & Virus 2021
William Elizondo
“In my work, sculpture, drawing, performance, and digital art overlap to examine my experience with dissociation of identity and culture. Since early childhood I have battled with the alienating feelings of depersonalization and derealization, and the yearning to connect with people. I use the archetype of the clown, in both its familiar and novel forms to explore myself and the ever shifting culture, holding up a mirror to religion, sex, family, community and my own practice. The work shifts stylistically between mediums, while maintaining a unified intent that ultimately exposes the absurdity of life and reality. More recently, I spent a year as a real estate agent, expanding upon the concept of public art. By donning the character of a Realtor, I aimed to understand people’s relationship with private property that is simultaneously interconnected by a public infrastructure. I am deeply interested in delving deeper into all of these concepts through personal and collaborative projects.”
Mario Garcia
“I wish I could spend more time drawing stuff, but I have a job that is kind of soul-sucking (in a good way), that is, a first grade teacher. And besides, drawing and I have an adversarial relationship, where I end up hating most of what I do. But I continue to draw, when I can, which is mostly during work meetings. During one, I drew a dead clown, as a response to the prevailing mood of the meeting.
I got to thinking about what might have killed the clown. I added pustules and swelling. These doodles led to the series, “Clowns, Diseases, and You”. I hoped to use the clowns to educate the public about the dangers of communicable diseases, like a public service.”