21 FACES

2021

21 FACES is a drawing project mediated via social media channels TikTok and Instagram, and exhibited at ATELIER Studio|Gallery in Nelson, NZ

In collaboration with 21 people throughout the world, David has created a series of enigmatic images that highlight the individuality of each participant, and also the inter-connectedness of our global community.

This portrait project has brought together people from Canada, USA, Jordan, Ghana, Germany, South Africa, Mexico, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. Each collaborator, connected via the social media app TikTok, submitted a profile picture of an image they felt represents themselves, along with an insight about their life. From hundreds of submissions, 21 people were selected to form the 21 FACES project.

Each of the 21 collaborators are immensely special in their own uniqueness and personal insights. However, their stories, mirror our own, and as we look deeply into their eyes, we connect with tragedy, loss, healing, and redemption, and the true story of humanity is made plain – the desire to be fully seen and known.

A reference that emerged in the process of this project, is the ancient story of Hagar, the slave girl. Hagar was thoroughly mistreated by her mistress Sarai for decisions that were beyond her own control and in despair, fled into the wilderness to die. However, while immersed in her distress and brokenness, Hagar received one of the most profound revelations previously unknown. When she was at her lowest, God saw her in the wilderness and spoke to her by name. Hagar, astounded that she, a slave girl, was even seen or noticed, proclaimed a new name of God that had not previously been spoken. That name is El Roi – the God who sees me.

The artwork in this project reinterprets each digital profile picture through a traditional approach to drawing using graphite on paper as a medium. This initial stage of the drawing is about controlling form, and tone, and shadow to capture the essence of the individual. However, just as the story of life, circumstances beyond our control impact and transform us – the second stage of the drawing process is a disruption. Here, the controlled drawings are doused with washes of liquid and graphite dust to transform the traditional portraits into enigmatic images the suggest ambiguities, shadows, grittiness, mystery – representing the complexities of our stories.

21 FACES makes the full circle – the project began mediated via the digital space, then brought into the physical space through drawing and arts engagement. Finally, the projected is resolved by re-presenting the physical works back into the digital space through a virtual exhibition opening, live on TikTok and Instagram.

For those who want to follow how this project develops and the back story, follow either of these accounts:

@davidrossjames on TikTok

@atelierstudiogallery on Instagram