Jazmine McLaurin

Drip, May 2020, Acrylic, spray paint, and yarn on canvas, 36” x 48”

Jazmine McLaurin brings forth the vulnerability and state of emotional stress through the form of texture and color. Drip follows the study of the decline of one’s mental health when coming to terms with the worldwide struggle of the coronavirus pandemic and emergency response. The use of yarn work represents the feeling of confusion and loss of hope, entangled in a sense of helpless optimism; life is said to be more exciting with surprises and not knowing what may be ahead, yet in this case, it focuses more on wishing for the best to happen and preparing for the worst. The dark, predominantly red color of the yarn reflects inner turmoil and the organic body system. The color palette represents the use of impending danger and emergency. Yellow represents the acknowledgment of an approaching threat, as it is soon dominated by red, revealing the true severity of the threat. The small inclusions of black paint, shadowed by the position of yarn represents the darkest fear of what is to come next, partially hidden by false reassurance and hope. Drip is the chaotic build of internal aggression and external response to a global state of emergency.