Inspiration:
Noir means black in French. Film noir is a term coined by French critics for American-style films that developed in Hollywood during the 1940s and 50s.
In 2019, when I began painting this series, the inspiration was the cinematic look of film noir.
However, the events of 2020 caused me to connect with the oppressed feelings that produced this dark cinematic style. Anything under extreme pressure is eventually going to explode.
Noir reflects the dark side of humanity. Men returning from war found a different America than the one they left. Feelings of displacement and alienation surfaced as men readjust to a new post-World War II economic, political, and social society.
The atmosphere of post-WWII America is similar to America’s current mood. New feelings of alienation and oppression are rampant due to environmental, political, and racial unrest.
The shadowy, claustrophobic look of Noir reflects the dark, pessimistic mood of the American psyche. Post-war America gave birth to a new male and female. The men are cynical, disillusioned, and fatalistic. The women are ambitious, independent, and sexually liberated.
The look of Noir pays homage to the black-and-white cinematography of classic Hollywood film noir. However, the soul of the paintings reflects the agitation of disenfranchised Americans past and present.
In these trying times, we need to educate people on the feelings of those marginalized in society. I believe art is an excellent teacher.
By creating Noir, I want to acknowledge the pain of an oppressed society. And most of all, I hope to help heal it.