Uncharted Waters, Tashema Davis

2024

Oil

20” x 20”

This small series of square paintings consists of four pieces,

with one having sold before I completed the entire set. My

intention with the remaining three is to evoke a sense of

nostalgia and longing for simpler times. I chose to focus on

a selection of my favorite cartoons from my generation, as

I believe these shows imparted values and morals that are

increasingly absent in contemporary classrooms.

To convey this concept, I opted to replace the heads of the

figures in my artwork with vintage televisions, thereby

stripping away their identities. This choice allows the

personalities of the figures to be expressed through the

imagery displayed on the screens.

As I navigate my healing journey in mental health, I am

advocating for joy. You will notice a faint yellow smiley

face in this piece, as well as in my recent works. This

symbol represents my enduring joy, which, despite being

deeply buried at times, remains present. As Psalm 30:5

states, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes

in the morning.”