Martin Wong, Untitled (Rooftops), 1995, (dimensions n/a), Acrylic on Canvas

Untitled (Rooftops), observes the Lower East Side in 1982. The layout of the painting is very prominent, in that being that the top of the image is a sky filled with constellations and stars and then when your eyes observes the middle of the image it is cloudy and dark. The building look like they are falling apart so the contrast is very interesting. The colors also add description to the image because the building make it look very monotone. The image was painted during a time of Crisis, when many gay men and New York City in general were battling the HIV/AIDS epidemic and many people of low socioeconomic status were affected by this issue, especially in the Lower East Side. Wong’s image connects to the expressionism principle. Barrett writes, “expressionist assert that artist are people inspired by emotional experiences, who use their skill with words, paint, music, marble, movement and so on to embody their emotions in a work of art” (65). Wong connects in that specific way because he is telling us his story through his art, and representing more than just himself, he is representing people of the LGBTQ community during this time, and even today.