Acrylic and Collage on Archival Paper
16 x 14 in
41 x 36 cm
US $ 1,400
In this vibrant work from the Mumbo Jumbo series, the figure is once again wrapped in layers of abstracted forms, yet here the constrictive elements feel more chaotic and fragmented. The figure, formed from a collage of intersecting shapes and patterns, appears to be in mid-motion, running or perhaps fleeing. The bright orange and yellow tones, contrasted with a muted sky blue, suggest both urgency and tension. The fire hose, abstracted into the swirling patterns, continues to symbolize the external forces of control and suppression, though here the sense of movement adds a new layer of dynamism, as if the figure is attempting to break free.
...more
In this vibrant work from the Mumbo Jumbo series, the figure is once again wrapped in layers of abstracted forms, yet here the constrictive elements feel more chaotic and fragmented. The figure, formed from a collage of intersecting shapes and patterns, appears to be in mid-motion, running or perhaps fleeing. The bright orange and yellow tones, contrasted with a muted sky blue, suggest both urgency and tension. The fire hose, abstracted into the swirling patterns, continues to symbolize the external forces of control and suppression, though here the sense of movement adds a new layer of dynamism, as if the figure is attempting to break free.
In this piece, there’s a playful use of texture and color, reminiscent of the Haitian artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work, though Deceus’s visual language feels more grounded in abstraction. The emojis, scattered across the surface, create a stark contrast with the figure’s fragmented body, evoking a dissonance between digital expression and the human condition. This use of modern symbols alongside references to historical violence speaks to the artist’s exploration of identity within urban and technological environments.
The title, Mumbo Jumbo, resonates with the work's chaotic composition, reflecting the confusion and societal pressures that obscure the figure’s path. The yellow-and-gray striped ground further evokes a sense of danger or caution, as if the figure navigates a precarious space. Despite the disarray, the figure’s forward motion hints at resilience and survival, emblematic of the immigrant experience and the struggle for personal agency within the chaos of systemic oppression.