Jaylon Pigford: See What I See

Jaylen Pigford (b. 1996) is an Afro-Latino painter born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, and based in Houston. The son of an African-American father and a mother of Mexican descent, Pigford is a self-taught artist who has been creating artwork since childhood. Pigford views his work as a balance of light and dark, a reflection of past negative experiences, and a story of adversity. His intention is to uplift his viewers and goes on to explain, “It is always good with the bad. We all struggle, our failures test us, it’s what action we take to correct them that matters most.”
Like many artists before him, Pigford uses skulls in his work to represent mortality and that no person is above any other. Popular across many cultures, the Renaissance painter’s fascination with Memento Mori was a symbolic reminder of death’s inevitability and belief that earthly possessions and achievements are fleeting and that an individual’s energy should be focused on divine judgement and salvation. Drawing inspiration from his heritage and cultural tradition of Día De Los Muertos, he believes “there is life in all things, even death.” In his paintings, he puts a twist on the decorative Calaveras, Calacas (skulls, skeletons), and vibrant, bold, colorful motifs used to adorn altars to honor deceased family members’ memory.
I believe that whether we accept it or not, death inspires everyone. Knowing that your time is limited encourages you to live your life to the fullest and strive to reach every one of your goals. To live in the moment and enjoy family and friends. It is also a reminder that we are all equal.
Since 2017 Pigford has been a part of several group exhibits in the Houston area and hopes to establish himself as a well-respected fine artist for years to come.