“White Trapezoid”
oil on canvas
16×20″ (41x51cm)
2019
private collection
The white trapezoid, positioned at the apex of the vibrant pyramid, symbolizes our personal ideals – the pristine, best versions of ourselves that we envision. The vertical cascade of color blocks leading towards this aspirational trapezoid signifies the myriad paths one might tread on the pursuit of self-actualization.
Yet, the journey to self-improvement is rarely linear. Our pursuit is often interrupted and diverted, symbolized by the jarring interludes of various shapes, forms, and hues that disrupt the continuity of the vertical colors. These disruptions serve as potent reminders of the distractions that often sway us from our path of personal growth.
Simultaneously, there exists a segment of us who remain indifferent to the concept of self-improvement or the notion of striving towards an ideal self. Some people neglect to construct an image of their ideal self, let alone labor towards it. Their disinterest in seeking or even conceptualizing the best version of themselves is mirrored by the vibrant circles that sprawl outside the pyramid’s structure. These shapes reflect the countless distractions that we sometimes indulge in, the means by which we often deflect our focus away from our ideal self or numb our consciousness to our existential role and place in the Universe.
Ultimately, we all possess the freedom to architect the blueprints of our identity and to endeavor towards the best version of ourselves. The decision to pursue this journey, however, remains eternally ours to make.
Robert Castillo 