For the 49

By: David Acevedo

Cape Coral, Florida,

Artist Statement

Through the years, I have learned to cope with many situations by plastering my observations and opinions on a canvas, associating certain colors to material and spiritual things. As a Hispanic, homosexual male, I have witnessed a great deal of discrimination from a variety of sources. I have seen violence and division created by hate and ignorance. This artwork reflects how I perceived America on June 12, 2016 – when 49 members of the LGBTQA+ community were killed inside the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL. This simplistic depiction on the surface masks a deep state of fear, despair, helplessness, confusion, and anger against those who want to hurt those who are considered different in their eyes. The color red carries the meaning of blood and life. It’s used in a literal matter. The colors of the Pride flag take over the red, white, and blue of the American flag, and the stars become unfortunate victims of this unnecessary tragedy.