Angels With Dirty Faces

This work stems from a stream of consciousness centered around the title. We, as a species, are existing in a time of great upheaval and transition and many of our lives are tiny microcosms of that larger transition. My life is no different. My work is always an expression of my personal microcosm. It carries all of the weighty emotions that I sometimes lack the words to express. It seeks to highlight the beauty in those emotions, even when it’s difficult. Especially when it’s difficult. Beyond these expressions, are the questions. My questions. Questions about life. About human nature. About the world at large. Who are we and what are the roles that we play? Who makes that decision? Are you predator or prey? What does that mean for your life everyday? Who is tasked with being the oppressor? Who is doomed to be the oppressed? How does one respond to that? Can predators be beautiful? Thoughtful? Sympathetic? Can prey be powerful? In charge? Empathetic? Can there be beauty in their symbiotic relationship? How do we navigate the world while playing those roles, wearing those masks? How do we move if those roles shift? If we refuse to wear our masks? What does freedom from that confinement look like? Are you good? Bad? Both? Neither? Are we all just angels with dirty faces and dirty hands?