"You are cordially invited to my party!" – Artwork by Surreal24seven
This artwork isn't just a visual feast; it's a narrative steeped in irony, survival, and the redefinition of family.
I've always been fascinated by how rats symbolize intelligence, adaptability, and survival, not just pests, much like the woman in the artwork enjoying a picnic with her pets. There was this one summer when I decided to live life my way, just like the woman hosting this unique party.
I remember hosting a gathering in a small, overgrown backyard, where I, like the woman, chose to be around people who really got me, even if others didn't approve. My friends, like the rats, were seen as outsiders or misfits by some, but to me, they were family, symbols of loyalty and protection. The scene in the artwork, with the woman surrounded by rats, mirrors this sentiment perfectly, with the rats not just as companions but as part of the celebration.
The pest control truck in the background, and the darkly funny image of the pest control man's body under a tree, represents a neighbor who disliked our group. In the artwork, this is vividly depicted with the "Pest Control" truck and the lifeless figure, adding a layer of dark humor to our story. That summer, this neighbor, unhappy with our unique gathering, called the cops on us, thinking we were causing trouble. Instead of running away, we turned the situation around by inviting the officers to our 'party'. In the artwork, the transformation of the pest control man's organs into burgers and cakes, with the meat-based pastries, symbolizes our victory over societal disapproval. It's a bold, dark celebration of overcoming those who try to control or squash what they don't understand, much like how we changed the story to show rats not as pests but as loved friends.
The balloons with X's for eyes, floating above, add a surreal touch, perhaps symbolizing the death of conventional norms or the playful defiance against societal expectations. The word "SURVIVOR" scrawled across the scene resonates with the theme of overcoming adversity, much like we did that summer.
Now, when I see this artwork, it reminds me of that summer, of breaking norms, of celebrating the unconventional, and of the strong family bonds I made. "You are cordially invited to my party!" isn't just about looking at art; it's about questioning, laughing at life's oddities, and celebrating the beauty and strength in what's often ignored or misunderstood. The artwork captures this essence, turning a simple gathering into a statement of resilience and camaraderie.
"Bunnie" – This artwork vividly brings back memories of a night in LA, a moment etched with the raw pulse of the city, where I, just a naive kid from the suburbs, sought something different from the life I knew.
I found myself in one of those speakeasies tucked away in an alley, where the walls were canvases for graffiti that told tales of rebellion, and the atmosphere was thick with the intoxicating scent of freedom, which to me felt like the purest form of art. It was in this electric environment that I met her, known only as "Bunnie," a name as enigmatic as the neon-lit club we were in. She was enveloped in a cute pink hoodie, her body a canvas of tattoos, each one a story in ink.