Gael Hernandez, Living Legend, acrylic, $80, SOLD

Gael Hernandez

Rancho San Juan High School

Senior

This piece was inspired by my relationship with religion - Christianity. I was raised in a semi-religious household. We attended church almost every week and followed the basic principles. But as I grew up and gained a sense of individuality, I realized how degrading and hate-filled it was to many communities that I considered myself a part of.  As I continued to grow, it got worse. I couldn’t stand the idea of people using something meant to bring people together (Religion) to justify their hate and envy. I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff, between heaven and hell. A part of me is not accepted by the church, and another is questioning the validity of God’s love. Religion, for me now, is nothing but literature. God may be our creator, but for me, they are nothing but the creator of evil. The church in the painting is an abandoned church near my house. It used to scare me as a child. It's so weird to see what once was a place of worship is now an empty vessel, home to many decaying humans buried below.

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