Noah Acevedo

Following a path into "Righteousness" isn't an easy thing. It's a slow-going, sometimes painful process of reflecting on who you are versus who you want to be. This piece was inspired by my own walk of life in finding righteousness. I've had to let go of who I once was and leave questions about what could have been in the past. I wanted to express the confliction this process takes while instilling a sense of hope about whatever lies in that door to the future. 

However, that doesn't mean you can't use history to guide yourself forward. I was heavily inspired for this piece by Taino (indigenous people of Puerto Rico) symbolism and folklore. I included these symbols because of my Puerto Rican heritage—which has heavily influenced how I view the world. Coming to terms with my circumstances of generational trauma and connecting closer to my culture has given me the freedom to reclaim my identity. I’m looking toward my future now and the possibilities it holds instead of the dark past. 

The piece is placed in perspective so that the viewer may be a figure on this path. When you view the figures, what people or memories come up? What does the door on the far end hold? What does a path to righteousness look like to you?