Racquel Baines

Life After Deathː Fame’s Martyrdom

 Life After Deathː Fame’s Martyrdom is an exploration of martyrdom in Catholicism and how it relates to celebrity death culture in American society.  One of the correlations between martyrdom in Catholicism and celebrity death culture is the immortalization of these prolific people when they die. Once they die, we begin to analyze their accomplishments and achievements then utilize multiple methods to honor and cherish them. Another correlation between martyrdom in Catholicism and celebrity death culture is the immortalization of their memory which gives their body of work an everlasting memory in the same matter that martyrs are remembered.  

     This project will communicate the connection between martyrdom and celebrity death culture through a triptych. The triptych will utilize portraiture and symbolism to represent the dead celebrities that are depicted. The symbolism that will be used to represent these dead celebrities is floriography. Floriography is known as the language flowers and the flowers that are selected will represent feelings and emotions that are associated with their deaths. 

Artist Bio:

     Racquel Baines is a Fine Artist based in the Bay Area who specializes in acrylic painting, charcoal drawings, and ink illustrations to illustrate how she views and experiences the world as woman of color. Her passion for painting and drawing started in early childhood as way to deal with her being lonely as an only child. The countless hours she spent drawing in her room transformed into a desire to create art. Her artmaking process are heavily influenced by techniques from the art historical past such as grisaille. In her art, she incorporates ideas from myth, lore, and fantasy to reflect on and critique issues and practices occurring in American society. 

Personal Website:

Racquelbaines.weebly.com

Contact Informationː

racquel.withthec@gmail.com