Typically, in a Foundation 2-D course in art school, students are taught about the principle of Resting Space—an empty space where the eye can safely rest, away from the composition's primary focus. This open space allows the viewer to take a break from the subject of the work.
When I conceived of this body of work, the collective "We" were in the middle of the greatest global pandemic in one hundred years. During this time, We noticed how little We notice anything. We noticed that We had lost the mountains in our landscapes behind smog-covered skies. We noticed that technology wasn't all what We thought it was cracked up to be. We noticed a disproportionate number of black and brown people were dying from this virus. We noticed the lowest paid were taking the highest risk. We noticed that there were some in the United States of America who were more than willing to prioritize capitalism over human life. We noticed elections do matter. So much was happening in the Resting Spaces within our society, and I came to view the principle of Resting Space with an entirely new perspective. Instead of interpreting "empty" or "open" space as unattended or not accounted for, I now believe that it is a constructive staging ground where the real activity occurs. Drawing is all about possibility: taking the risk to go into the unknown for the promise of what might be revealed. There is no Resting Space.
These drawings were sent to the gallery in Los Angeles from my studio in Philadelphia the week before the video of George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis emerged. This overt racism and cruelty is nothing that We, The People, haven't seen before in America. We often have a short memory in this country; but a long history of this grotesque truth is embedded in who we are as a nation. Each time I put pen to paper, so to speak, it seems that another one of these all too common tragedies has occurred and revealed another irredeemable fracture. There is no Resting Space.
As long as there is no resting space for me, there is no resting space for you. We are all in THIS together.
Take notice, protest and vote.
— Mark Thomas Gibson (2020)
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Mark Thomas GibsonFeeding Grounds, 2020ink on paper collage22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonGrab the Flag, 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonGrabbing Essentials, 2020ink on paper collage22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonHe Golfed While We Burned, 2020ink on paper collage30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonHey There, 2020ink on paper collage30 x 20 inches (76.2 x 50.8 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonI AM AN ANGRY BLACK MAN, 2020ink on paper collage30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonIs He Done Yet, 2018signed, titled and dated versoink on paper55 x 70 1/2 inches (139.7 x 179.1 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonLost Glove, 2020ink on paper collage22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonMe, Me, Me, Me, 2020ink on paper22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonNo More Q and A, 2020ink on paper22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonPrecious Moments, 2020ink on paper collage22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonSpring Break 2020, 2020signed, titled and dated versoink on paper collage22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonStill Life with Kick, 2020ink on paper collage36 x 24 inches (91.4 x 61 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonSwimming with the Enemy, 2020ink on paper22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThe Inferno, 2020ink on paper22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThe Lovers (Part 1), 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThe Lovers (Part 2), 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThe Lovers (Part 3), 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThe Mob, 2020ink on paper collage30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThe President is Insane, 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThe Razor Blade Handle, 2020ink on paper collage22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThe Unity, 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThey Called It Earth, 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonThing, 2020ink on paper collage22 x 30 inches (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonTouch of Evil, 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonTrump Chum, 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonTrump Flu, 2020ink on paper30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)
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Mark Thomas GibsonTurn It Over, 2020ink on paper collage30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm)