Grounded
Grounded addresses the nonavailability of travel during the pandemic as precautionary restrictions were placed on domestic and international travel. The oversized figure rests atop the airplane. He stretches a mask across his back in a gesture that recalls childlike play. Noé Piña injects the painting with a levity that aims to diminish the psychological weight of isolation and restriction. The title is a humorous play on words referring to both grounded planes and mental grounding.