Desalmado - Monopoly of Violence

Artwork inspired by some tracks and verses from the band's current album "Monopoly of Violence" - one of the best Brazilian Grindcore albums released in recent years.

Thematic references such as extreme violence and prejudice in the name of conservatism, the feeling of contemporary mental and physical illness, religious fundamentalism, fascism, technological crisis, genocide, etc., were represented.

One of the creative resources I frequently use in my work is what I call the Indirect Representation of an object/symbol. The gigantic cross in the center of the artwork is full of meaning and becomes more impactful due to its structure completely made of overlapping heavy projectiles. We have the sum of the original general form "cross" + the reproduced module "projectile," configuring a new visual element that does not exist in its natural state. The sum of common aspects of daily life, which would not spontaneously relate, is a very interesting symbolic technique for artistic innovation, as long as the final visualization does not hinder the identification of both separately.

We can conclude that, in this case, we have three elements: the two original ones and the result of their blending. Just as in a successful culinary recipe, we can perceive colors and flavors related to particular ingredients and, at the same time, how they relate in the creation of a dish in which they combine.

Another Indirect Representation is the set of ribs made of thorns. Instead of human bones, we have religious layers of interpretation in this case. The structure of the human body takes on aspects of torture and sin, increasing the discomfort of the visual result and enriching the work.

To give the art a natural feel, another artistic resource that I use frequently was adopted: the purposeful displacement of elements. It is noticeable that projectiles were placed outside the overall composition of the cross, in order to construct a scene that apparently exists not for the making of a planned painting, but as if it had been photographed casually. In life we have lack of control, randomness, mismatched objects, "defective" forms, imperfections, etc. My art makes a point of demonstrating these attributes of reality. It's a kind of "controlled chaos."

The logo/typography already existed, only inserted into the artwork in a planned location.

In the background, in gray, we have the shadow of an old, rustic tombstone, representing the decay and bankruptcy of an unviable system that combines religion, politics, and capitalism. It is the grave of everything that involves this combination.