Perspective: My Sylvia Ji Collection
A personal deconstruction of the enigma that is Sylvia Ji’s art.
I came for the music. I stayed for the art. The Blue Van introduced me to Catrina, a creation of L.A.-based Sylvia Ji, which had an insurmountable impact on my psyche. Sylvia strategically implements “Day of the Dead” themes repurposed to convey emotional motifs. Broken hearts tend to follow spiderwebs, tears, and occasionally black widows. It’s not uncommon to find a monarchical or religious undertone. Her paintings conjure ineffable feelings, creating a balanced atmosphere of curiosity and frustration.
Catrina channels the isolation I experience when admiring Edward Hopper’s New York Office and New York Movie, but that’s where the similarities end between the two artists. Where Hopper delivers a dose of melancholy, Sylvia’s Catrina emanates minacious vibes. However, after scrutinizing Catrina with more patience, my perspective shifts to a more neutral opinion. She remains enigmatic, showcasing the paradigm that makes Catrina a masterpiece: She burrows into the subconscious, forcing your mind to preoccupy itself with deciphering her. It’s like a Rubik’s Cube — where you understand…
