2020

Medium: Acrylic painting on canvas

Size: 30" x 40"

Year: 2020

"Protectors of Memory" is a series delving into the pivotal memories that have shaped the person I've become today. Each memory resides behind a door safeguarded by characters I've crafted specifically for this purpose. In my mind's eye, I envision an array of doors, each guarded by distinct and formidable warriors, preserving a treasury of cherished memories

This artwork is a reflection of a cherished memory I hold from my early years when I lived in The Bronx, New York City, and had a special friendship with Charlene, my first friend. This poignant memory begins with my family's journey to the train station. Along the way, we unexpectedly encountered Charlene and her family. I must have been around eight years old, as was she, and it had been several years since we had last seen each other. Despite the passage of time, we immediately recognized one another, and the reunion was one of the most heartwarming moments of my life. We embraced each other with excitement. I still vividly recall that Charlene was wearing a black leather jacket.

As fate would have it, Charlene's family was also headed to the same train station as mine, albeit on the opposite side of the tracks, as they were boarding a different train heading in the opposite direction. Serendipitously, both our trains arrived simultaneously. I took my seat by the window, and as the train departed, I witnessed a poignant scene that remains etched in my mind to this day: Charlene waving goodbye to me from the window of her departing train. It was the last time I ever saw her, and what haunts me most is my complete inability to remember her appearance.

The Japanese screen door featured in the background of this artwork serves as a portal to this cherished memory. Since I have entirely forgotten how Charlene looked, I chose to depict a fictional character in this piece, unrelated to anyone I have known.