Nonconforming

So, I created this painting to symbolize a refusal to conform. In art, and in the world, use of color can create lots of meaning. A lot of people see the world in black and white only; especially in regard to the queer community, they refuse to see outside of that frame. This is acrylic on a 16"x20" canvas, using black, grey, and red on the white canvas to show a variety of emotion. I use red for symbolic purposes a lot in my work. For me it symbolizes many things but especially rage, anger, shame, change, and power. These are all emotions that the queer community probably experience on a regular basis. I am usually very controlled and meticulous in my work, but for this one I just went at it with complete abstraction. It is titled "Nonconforming" and I hope you like it. 

Audrea Cooper