For Whom the Bell Tolls

How does one move forward when there is no indication of what’s to come? For Whom the Bell Tolls is a photographic self-portrait about this space ofquestioning; that space of not knowing.
A half-clothed man kneels, hopelessly. Surrounding him within the impenetrabledark landscape, are all the previous works he’s created throughout his artistic journey. Infront of the man hanging from an adolescent tree, is a single noose. Subdued lightilluminates the main subjects, while dancing over the photographs caught in the bramble.A cool wash of color hovers over the scene amplifying the drama of the moment.Indecisiveness and hesitation quake throughout the image, beautiful, yet saddening; canone be truly ready for what is going to happen next?

Javier Espinal, who goes by “Muted”, is a BFA candidate at Moravian University with an expected graduation date of May 2023. Recent solo exhibitions include “Notions of Home” in the Payne Collections Gallery (March 16th) and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (April 21st) as part of the 2022 senior thesis show in Payne Gallery, Moravian University, Bethlehem, PA. Espinal was featured in Photolounge Film Club Member Moment, was nominated for a residency at Yale Norfolk School of Art, and was awarded first place at Photolounge in Philadelphia, where his work was shown at their University Student Show. Espinal resides in Easton, PA as he finishes up his management minor at Moravian University.