(or The New American Gnosticism)

Mixed-media series utilizing colored pencil, ink, graphic design, and photography.

“I was watching this 9/11 documentary in my hotel room while I was stuck once in a layover at Dallas Fort Worth Airport. The planes were grounded because of a storm and I had started a new sketch before bed. It was essentially the World Trade Center being struck by a lightening bolt, but I framed it like a tarot card: THE LIGHTENING STRUCK TOWER. I felt there was something to that and more to bring out. Something about America, mysticism, and omens…I still remember the way we talked about 9/11 and the Patriot Act, with a sense of disbelief that pushed the boundaries of American exceptionalism. We would say things like, something like this ‘couldn’t’ or ‘shouldn’t’ have happened here. Like the event itself portended some cosmic rift or disfavor. A fracture in our infallibility. A bad sign. The marriage of the gnostic and the national proved really effective as the project went on, sponging key figures and events in American history for each major arcana card. I also liked that I could keep the acronym of USA for the project.”

– Quinten “Q” Avila