Artist Statement

Tayron Lopez (Taiitan), is an artist from the Bronx. His works combine techniques used in psychoanalytic study with manga inspired illustration. The narratives explore the subconscious mind and study the psychological effects that come with growing up in urban communities. Finding his mode of expression through art at the early age of 4, Taiitan would often be found drawing in class. Living out the worlds in his head on paper, he unconsciously discovered a way of escaping into these worlds created by ink through doodling. He learned later in his studies that this form of creation relates to the technique called psychic automatism. A technique described in Andre Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto. The act of automatic drawing or writing is said to express the language of the unconscious. Allowing for a better understanding of repressed emotions, feelings, traumas, habits and more through the analysis of things such as imagery and metaphors. Growing up in the midst of gun violence, gang violence, poverty, colorism, racism and inequality, Taiitan believes that the pressures of day to day living by those in communities like The Bronx causes a communal repression of the effects of certain realities. There is a relationship of having to constantly look behind ones back, to a form of PTSD, just as there is a correlation between the struggle with addiction to unequal educational and inadequate job opportunities. The influence of manga into the work creates an act similar to free association, further leaving room for the communication of the unconscious and exploration within repetitive tropes, scenes, and more. Through imagery Taiitan hopes to bring awareness to subconscious forms of oppression and stress, as well as introduce a modern representation for people of color going through similar struggles. Taiitan is currently an MFA student and TA for the 2D concepts course at the university at Buffalo. He received his BFA at Sage College of Albany.