While much of my work involves critical theory, historical research, and reflective personal philosophy, some of my work is also simply a representation of my lighter side, and the things that amuse me.
This painting is about luxury and natural resources being at odds, but the title and the content of this painting were first inspired by a throwaway line in a popular TV show from the early 2010s. Can you guess which one? Probably not – it’s a very obscure reference. Many of my paintings have “easter eggs” of pop-culture references, usually to do with horror movies; in this case, however, the line is from a comedy, an episode of Parks and Recreation.
In a mid-series episode, a character is asked to provide food for a party. She suggests cake and pop, and when told that it should be more special, she suggests cake and fish. I’ve always found this line to be particularly funny, and I love the aesthetic that it conjures in my imagination of an elegant table setting combining cake and fish. It’s just one of those little things that I can’t get out of my head, which is usually where I start with all my projects.