“Come In We’re Closed” by Patrick Martinez

Patrick Martinez (remember him from our contest) continues exploring themes of hopelessness and economic displacement in his recent street installation Come In We’re Closed. He says of the new work, “Many small independent mom and pop businesses have been closing up left and right all across the United States. All that is left behind is a cold empty vacant space. Martinez utilizes the space to engage the viewer or passer by on the street with a colorful visual dialog and touching on what people are going through fiscally during the current recession. Painting portraits of his own parents and placing the words ” trying to make a dollar out of 14 (16) cents.” over the paintings in bright saturated neon letters. Remixing typical Los Angeles neon signs and introducing the traditional painting element into the mix.”

Thanks to Wooster Collective for the heads up. More images follow.