Looking to a Better Future, oil on Belgian linen, 52 x 44"In early 2020, San Francisco-based artist Justin Hess unveiled a bold new portrait of a confident and poised Black woman wearing a multi-colored jacket and standing in front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. The painting, titled Looking to a Better Future, conveys an important message about the struggles of our current society and the future of our nation. “I’m personifying the future as an iconic woman, portrayed with confidence rather than defiance,” Hess explains. “She stands at the U.S. Capitol building with a rightful sense of ownership and equality. She gazes off into the distance, past the sculpture of The Statue of Freedom which crowns the dome of the building—a paradox in a nation that has never fully addressed the systemic racism that has plagued it since its inception.” On the painting’s title, Hess says, “The current political climate in the United States has many of us looking to and hoping for a better future.”
In the portrait, the woman’s confidant pose and striking gaze is enhanced by the brightly colored jacket she wears proudly like armor. On the choice of clothing, Hess says, “Her multi-colored jacket symbolizes inclusion and harmony and strength in diversity. The garment symbolizes the hope that our country can learn to celebrate this diversity that has built it from its foundation.”
As with the symbolism of her jacket, the painting’s background was also carefully composed to enrich the broader message. “With the sun having just set behind her, and the street lines leading towards the capitol, I’m offering a sense of hope that we will move forward from this moment of reckoning in a better direction as a collective whole,” Hess says. “That we will listen to and hear the voices of people regardless of gender identity, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status.” On the importance of this message, he continues, “We must expand the dialog and bring more voices to the conversation if we’re to confront the culture of racial and misogynistic hostility that has dominated our political and social environment for far too long.”
This painting is one of several in Hess’s oeuvre that contend with difficult issues of gender, race and equality in today’s world. On balancing his commissioned work with more personal work such as this, Hess admits it can be a tough challenge, especially when the former guarantees payment. “I live in the middle of one of the most expensive cities in the country,” Hess notes, “and I’m blessed with a very supportive social circle that constantly keeps me busy with commissioned work in portrait, landscape and still life.” To keep the balance, Hess purposefully schedules breaks in between commission projects for personal work. “So, there’s never a dull moment!” He exclaims.
Currently on his easel, Hess is working on numerous commissioned portraits, as well as a few personal sculpting projects, and looking forward to a plein air painting trip to Montana this summer. In addition, he maintains a studio in San Francisco where he and his partner, fellow artist Alicia Ponzio, teach workshops in the evenings. For more on his work and upcoming workshops, visit www.jhessstudios.com. —
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