Fight!

Medium: Watercolor on paper

Date: 1985

Blog 69: Fight!

This week’s featured artwork draws me deep into its primal energy. I created this piece in 1985, during a time when I was deeply immersed in teaching Karate and at the peak of my physical strength. It reflected the energy and discipline I embodied then, which is why I titled it “Fight!” The dominant figure, a three-headed, wolf-like creature wielding a sword and donning a bold red X across its chest, stands poised above fallen silhouettes. The juxtaposition of animalistic power with human form invites me to reflect on the duality of our nature—the clash between our civilized selves and our raw, untamed instincts.

Visual Elements

The stark minimalism of the figure’s outline, accentuated by the soft pastel background, contrasts sharply with the aggression symbolized by the sword and fallen bodies. The creature’s three heads symbolize the complexity of thought—a mind divided, reflecting multiple viewpoints or internal conflicts. It straddles different worlds or perspectives, embodying both unity and dissonance. The red X across the chest pulls focus immediately—it stands as a symbol of rejection, danger, or negation. But for me, it also suggests a crossroads, a point where paths meet in opposition, forcing choices and confrontations.

Symbolism

Wolves have always fascinated me with their dual symbolism—revered as loyal pack animals but also feared as relentless predators. In merging the wolf’s primal nature with a humanoid form, I wanted to convey the internal conflict between survival and destruction, two forces we all carry within. The sword—long a universal emblem of struggle—emphasizes the violence often required to confront life’s challenges. Meanwhile, the X shield on the creature’s chest represents resistance, defense, or perhaps the denial of deeper truths we might avoid facing.

The fallen figures beneath the creature symbolize my own battles—vanquished foes representing the trials and challenges I’ve overcome along the way. Each hurdle I’ve faced, each failure, and each success is like a trophy lying at the feet of the creature, marking victories on my journey. These figures aren’t just remnants of defeated obstacles; they’re reminders that every struggle—whether painful or triumphant—has enriched my art and my life, adding depth to my creative process.

On a personal level, this piece also reflects my struggle to simplify my life in the pursuit of art. I arrived in New York City in 1967, young, fresh, and bursting with energy for the life I wanted to create. From the very beginning, it was always about my art. I’ve devoted my entire life to this passion, but the road has been anything but smooth. There were countless challenges and detours, as if I were walking a beam—balancing risk and safety at every step. The search for equilibrium between chaos and order is a never-ending pursuit, but every setback, every hard-fought victory, has added to the richness and complexity of my creations.

Techniques

The soft, almost ethereal color palette contrasts with the creature’s aggressive stance, emphasizing the tension between brutality and vulnerability. I kept the lines intentionally minimal—sketchy and sparse—to leave room for the viewer’s imagination to engage with the piece and fill in the gaps. The boldness of the red X stands in stark contrast to the softer hues, making it the symbolic focal point of the artwork. The imperfect, hand-drawn lines give the image a raw, visceral quality, as though it emerged directly from a place of instinct and emotion.

Emotional Impact

This piece stirs a profound sense of conflict in me—a tension between vulnerability and threat. The creature, though triumphant with its sword raised, remains exposed and almost defenseless except for the X shield. This mirrors the ongoing battle between my instinctual self and the expectations that society places on me. The fallen figures symbolize the parts of myself that I’ve had to sacrifice along the way—losses that, like victories, have shaped who I am today.

Life Lesson

This artwork reflects the battles we all face between our wild, authentic selves and the roles we feel pressured to play. Suppressing one’s instinctual side comes at a cost, just as unchecked wildness can lead to chaos. The real challenge lies in knowing when to unleash the wolf within, fierce and untamed, and when to sheathe the sword and find peace. I’m reminded of Nietzsche’s words: “One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.” This piece reminds me that chaos, struggle, and even loss are essential parts of the creative process—and ultimately, they lead to growth and wisdom.