Identity (Portraits)

How do we ‘define’ what makes us who we are, our ego? We ‘fit’ into the world by creating an identity that becomes the filter through which we experience all things.

Selfies

Bob-selfie, oil on panel, 24 x 18

Georgette – Selfie, Oil on panel, 24″ x 18″

TonyK – Selfie, Oil on panel, 24″ x 18″

Kayleigh – Selfie, Oil on panel, 24″ x 18″

Selfie: Lalo, Oil on canvas, 24″ x 20″

Selfie: Tom, 24″ x 20″ oil on canvas

Tony-selfie, chalk pastel on paper, 10 x 8

Selfie: John, Oil on canvas, 24″ x 20″

Paintings of someone else’s selfie. A portrait of a self-portrait. It’s an idea that only exists in the early 21st century. Identity has become wrapped up in how frequently and easily we can ‘see’ ourselves, examine who we might be. We can mold our identity from the outside in. Selfie portraits are about identity – who we are at any and every moment in time.

Impermanence

Sheryl, Pastel on paper, 40″ x 30″

Chao-I, screaming. digital photograph

John, seated. chalk and pastel on paper

David, profile, charcoal and pastel on paper

Horse and Cart, Pastel on paper, 40″ x 30″

John, walking, Pastel on paper, 12″ x 10″

Bye, Sheryl, Charcoal and pastel on paper

pxopinkman-2014-essential-portraits-david-3

David, three angles. Paul XO Pinkman, digital photograph

Also called Anicca or Anitya, impermanence is one of the essential doctrines and a part of three marks of existence in Buddhism. The doctrine asserts that all of conditioned existence, without exception, is “transient, evanescent, inconstant”.

Human/Nature

The Watcher, Paul XO Pinkman. 2015. Oil on canvas. 24″ h x 18″ w

Cocoon. Paul XO Pinkman. 2015. Oil on canvas. 24″ h x 18″ w

Subterfuge. Paul XO Pinkman. 2015. Oil on panel 24″ h x 18″ w

I work from a place of historical and individual reference points and try to arrive at a visual representation of what I’m reacting to and/or perceiving at any given moment, first nature, then human. Over the years my art has slid back and forth and in between landscape and people. In recent years, the focus on people has taken precedence as I have become increasingly preoccupied with issues of identity and impermanence. We presume to ‘know’ what we see, who we are, yet there is nothing consistent or continuous about any aspect of identity, whether identity of the self, the other or objects. I have pushed myself to try and understand through visual means how technology interacts with human behavior and what results are being drawn from that combination.
Read more about Human/Nature here.

Estrangement

Tiresius (digital print)

Untitled, Digital Print

Janus (Digital print)

Moonrise, sunset

Elegy for Fallen Soldiers, Part 1: Wounded (Digital Print)

Elegy for Fallen Soldiers, Part 2: Prone (Digital Print),

Elegy for Fallen Soldiers, Part 3: Reflection (Digital Print)

Burn, Digital Print

Response to a Tragedy, Part 1: For Fukoshima (Digital Print)

Response to a Tragedy, Part 2: For Fukoshima (Digital Print)

Response to a Tragedy, Part 3: For Fukoshima (Digital Print)

The continuing and accelerating estrangement of people from a connection to nature or even the artificial environment within which they live is the very definition of modern human society today. Disconnection from our natural world is being pushed to all extremes by the use of isolating devices and applications – including mobile phones and tablets. In general, though seemingly increasing our access to the world, these devices also decrease our awareness of the natural environment we are in at any given moment. It is this loss of integration with our very nature that is seen here.

Sticks and Stones

Sissy (William), digital print

Spic (Julie), digital print

Bitch (Kate)

Pussy (Edgar)

Peleón (Edgardo)

Sissy (Harold)

I hate you (Robert D.), digital print, © 2011 Paul Pinkman

I hate you (Robert), digital print

See no evil (David), digital print

Kike (Shari)

Chink (Chao I), digital print

Queer, Fag, Idiot (Self-portrait),2010, digital print

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Words that are meant to hurt and even some that aren’t leave long lasting scars, which, though hidden, are barely below the surface. This series of portraits brings to the surface the hidden pains that are resident for many. Daring to be genuine is the greatest act of the individual. Knowing who that genuine person is and revealing it takes great bravery and yet offers even greater satisfaction.