Presentation: Patssi Valdez

One piece of artwork that stood out to me during this week of presentations was The Magic Room by Patssi Valdez. Specifically, I liked the story behind her images and the way in which the three selected images show Patssi's journey towards a more stable life and mental health. I liked how the three images showed the transformation from a hectic and anxious life to a calm frame of mind. I think this backstory helped me understand the art better and appreciate how she used her skills to work through her emotions and maybe help others who may feel the same way. I liked The Magic Room because it clearly shows the way in which Patssi felt like her home was hectic and unsafe, maybe due to the way that the setting affected her mentally. Some ways that Patssi communicated this feeling of anxiety and lack of safety is through her sharp imagery. I liked how she made the chairs look sharp and unstable as well as the forks and the snake-looking objects. There are also other objects that show the craziness of the space like a caution cone, gymnastic rings, and spilled glasses. The floor is also chaotic, showing that its hard to maneuver as the ground looks like its constantly spinning. The bars on the windows, although common, also add to the effect as well as the big, red curtains. The vibrant colors tie this entire work together and Patssi does a great job of showing how she felt living in this space and her journey towards a more healthy mindset and life.