Jack CliffordFollow
About the Artist

Jack Clifford is a contemporary portrait artist originally from Massachusetts. Clifford studied and majored in Studio Art at Colgate University. He recently graduated in the Spring of 2017 with a focus in oil painting. He is now based in New York City, where he is continuing his passion for painting. Clifford's oil on canvas portraits of pop, hip-hop, r&b icons provide a conceptual social commentary, with refined technical skill. The purple lines disrupt the subject matter through color and location. The color purple was chosen because of its pink-blue mix --- representing females and males, respectively. The location, above and below the eyes, asks the viewer to reflect on the rappers' identities and values in both their music and personal lives. This series expresses confusion over stereotypes in the music industry and the prevalent role of objectification of woman in defining masculinity. Clifford interrupts faces with a bold color to challenge the singers' demeaning lyrics and stir a reaction from the viewer. The purple lines all align in the series to reflect on how the subject matter and themes unite the paintings.