Patrick Muñiz, A Maverick

Most of my paintings are born out of a process of isolated introspection. Without this practice, I feel the work would be unfocused and confused. Being alone and in silence in my studio allows me to put things into proper perspective and prioritize the right elements behind each story. This is a challenge of course given the fact that we are so easily swayed and distracted by our phones with social media while being bombarded by advertisements on YouTube. As much as we try to isolate ourselves from a modern capital driven society In the end it becomes a balancing act between external and internal forces at play.

In the age of obsessive identity politics and pervasive political tribalism, the movies you watch, the food you eat or the clothes you wear and where you buy them become political statements in themselves. It has become an inescapable reality so we might as well face it, deal with it but to not get stuck on it. Coming from an island that still very much operates as a colony in all but name, politics is ingrained in every aspect of society. I grew up in a place where everyone had a political opinion and most people felt proud to go out, vote and express their political views openly. So it was just natural to be informed by this deep sense of civic duty that extends to the arts. But in time it's easy to see how one can become sick of its toxicity as it spoils the best things in life including relationships. One also longs for art to become an escape from this never ending discussion that divides us more than it unites us. Is it possible to create an art that transcends politics when ever

Would you describe your work as a form of resistance, if so at all?

I'm not sure I would consider my work a form of resistance. I think it is time we stopped thinking in terms of being 'against something'. Rather we should accept and embrace our differences and just 'do your thing'. The best form of resistance is acceptance and adaptation in my book. There are certain things we cannot resist, like time and 'progress'. Instead we adapt and channel any suspicious or negative influences and transform it into Art.

Is there an intentionality that we can expect in future projects of yours?

Yes, I intend to open my mind to other views and explore the unknown in my work. Not to be manipulated by the tech giant algorithms into scrolling down and following on my own confirmation biases but rather looking for new rabbit holes to break away from my own 'comfort zone" . I find it more challenging and exciting to question one's own beliefs than to just preach to the choir.

What direction do you see for further work? Have you dabbled in other mediums?

I foresee a future work imbued with more personal stories as well as a look into the spiritual aspects and the mystical dimensions that we all share as humans. At the moment I keep exploring the manifestations of the archetypes, mainly through art history, religious iconography and Tarot. I'd expect to see more of this in future paintings, drawings and decks. I also wish to go back to basics with my mediums. Everything from pencil, charcoal and pastel drawings to watercolor and gouache paintings. Art should be simple to understand and beautiful to look at. That's what l aspire to at least.