The subway system worked out just fine. It reminded me of Tokyo’s system with the multi-levels and signage in an unreadable let alone unpronounceable language juxtaposed with our native English. Once inside, the tunnels were like an underground maze without the advantage of natural landmarks to indicate north and south. I learned early on to refer to an old-school compass, the kind with a magnetic needle in order to correctly orient our subway maps.
This artwork started from an ordinary snapshot inside a subway car filled with a jumble of commuters, backpacks, and umbrellas. I liked the final result of eliminating the visual clutter by painting on the photo. A stranger’s lone arm and the subway pole were the only things left.