The Hamlet Series

Hamlet Series: Nocte Animam

The Hamlet Series

Paintings, Digital Illustration, 2016

The Hamlet Series is what I titled the pieces that I entered into Art Mundo’s Calendart Fundraiser event (see AWARDS). The series consisted of a two-part painting that explored finding a purpose for existence.

Named after Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the series dealt with suicide and the ultimate philosophical question:

To be, or not to be–that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep–
No more–and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to. ‘Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep–
To sleep–perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There’s the respect
That makes calamity of so long life.

The Hamlet series wasn’t the first use of my trademark skull-and-crossbones though. Skull-Leader, began as a self-motivated challenge to create a unique skull-and-crossbones that could be used as a vehicle graphic that was inspired by the anime series, Robotech and its Skull Squadron’s ace pilot, Skull Leader.

As I conducted research on the skull-and-crossbones symbol, it began to take on more meaning for me and the need for it to be just a unique graphic mark as part of a vehicle wrap diminished. Skull-Leader was becoming a more meaningful symbol for me – a reminder that we all die and that nothing in this life is permanent. So, as the symbol became more meaningful for me, I decided to make it more meaningful through artwork.

Typically the skull-and-crossbones is featured graphically to indicate danger, poison or warn of death. I believe there is an inherent danger in arrogance when we forget that we are mortal and fragile in all facets; mind, body and soul. Combining this reminder of mortality with Shakespeare’s philosophical question certainly focuses the conversation, but just as The Hamlet Series proposes, visually, the question is only the surface. What truly matters is that which lies beneath the surface. That which is masked, and ultimately defined by each of us, personally.

Non-objective, abstract painting used in Hamlet Series

Typically the skull-and-crossbones is featured graphically to indicate danger, poison or warn of death. I believe there is an inherent danger in arrogance when we forget that we are mortal and fragile in all facets; mind, body and soul. Combining this reminder of mortality with Shakespeare’s philosophical question certainly focuses the conversation, but just as The Hamlet Series proposes, visually, the question is only the surface. What truly matters is that which lies beneath the surface. That which is masked, and ultimately defined by each of us, personally.

Each piece features the same question, the same Skull-Leader cut out, and the same matte-black finish, but beneath that each discusses reasons to continue with your journey in this life.

If you’ve yet to find one… then you’re probably too focused on the question to see it just there beneath the surface.

Skull-Leader Stickers

Skull and Crossbones 3″ Patch

I've taken my Skull and Crossbones used in the Skull Squadron and Hamlet Series to a new level. 3" woven, heat press patches! Yes - you can rock the Nolli version Skull and Crossbones on your favorite apparel, and help support my art by doing so!

$6.00