Fernando Samalot: Re:Parenting—The Art of Fatherhood, Childhood, and Healing
Rithm Art's Art on Avax: Mona Lisa Initiative Avaissance Acquisitions
We are thrilled to share the latest addition to our Avaissance portfolio: two powerful pieces from Fernando Samalot's groundbreaking collection, Re:Parenting. Each work, purchased for 50 AVAX each, weaves together the complexities of first-time fatherhood and the artistic process in a captivating way that demands reflection.
The Genesis of Re:Parenting
Fernando Samalot and his two-year-old daughter embarked on an extraordinary creative journey that birthed the Re:Parenting collection. The Puerto Rican artist has fused AI techniques with traditional painting methods to generate vivid, emotion-rich works of art. The significance of Re:Parenting lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but also in its emotional narrative. Fernando uses introspective writings paired with each piece to delve deep into his new role as a father, his complex emotional landscape, and the struggles and triumphs that come with it.
The Acquired Pieces
1. Artist or Parent
The first piece, "Artist or Parent," captures the internal conflict Fernando faced when he became a father. The artwork itself is a labyrinth of colors and shapes, presenting a visual metaphor for the emotional and identity-based complexities of parenting. Each stroke on the canvas echoes Fernando's struggle with his dual identity as both an artist and a parent, a struggle that found resolution in the simple yet profound act of co-creating with his daughter.
"I didn't have to choose between being a parent or being an artist. I could be both and even more than that," Fernando wrote in the description for the piece.
2. This is Hard
The second piece, "This is Hard," delves into the emotional weight of conscious parenting. Against a backdrop of vivid hues and abstract shapes, Fernando shares his fears, insecurities, and hopes as a parent. Particularly poignant is his open admission of the childhood trauma that still haunts him and the worries he has about passing this on to his daughter. However, the feeling of transition and legacy is clear in this pieces as this piece seems to be based 100% on his daughter’s work
"Please, little one, my only wish for us is that you remember your papa as someone who always did their best and who loved you more than all the water in the sea and all the light in the universe," he pleads in the description.
Significance and Impact
The reason we were drawn to Fernando's pieces is simple yet deeply significant. His art humanizes the often-overlooked emotional journey of fatherhood. His struggles and triumphs resonate with anyone who has grappled with identity, responsibility, and the complexities of human emotions. The process of his art creation, co-created with his young daughter, serves as a metaphor for the transformative power of parenting itself: chaotic, messy, but ultimately a labor of love and growth.
In an era where art collections often miss the emotional and human element, focusing more on aesthetic or monetary value, Re:Parenting brings us back to the roots of what art should be—a mirror to our inner selves and a window into the complexities of human emotions.
Concluding Thoughts
Fernando Samalot's Re:Parenting serves as an emotional rollercoaster that navigates the bittersweet truths of fatherhood, generational trauma, and personal growth. The collection acts as an invitation for each of us to confront our own childhoods, our roles as parents or children, and the emotional landscapes we navigate every day. We are proud to feature Fernando's art in our collection, and we are even prouder to support an artist who isn't afraid to dig deep into the emotional soil from which we all grow.
Join us in appreciating these magnificent pieces and the powerful messages they carry.