Title: After the Storm
Year Completed: 2023
Size: 11x17 in, 18x43 cm
Technical: digital/mixed media

Description
This is a piece that I began making right after a heavy storm hit Northeastern Oklahoma a few weeks ago. 114mph winds broke apart the powerlines outside of my home, dropping them onto my driveway in brilliant flash of sparks and noise - and they laid there for three days while I waited for a crew to come dig me out. The whole event was a brief thing, in-convenient for me as worst - I got lucky, didn't lose a thing and wasn't hurt. Got my power back within 3 days, some weren't as lucky, waiting two weeks. A minor offset for me, and a major disaster for others. I suppose this piece was made in response to the feelings I had over the course of those first three days - especially the thoughts that came in the evenings, when the sun sent waves of colour rolling overhead. There was something in the way the sunlight looked behind the mangled remains of 40 year old, rotting infrastructure that captured me - nature ever-transcendent and unbothered, unreachable high above. And at my feet lay something meant to connect us, bent and distorted to become a cage - from bonds to bars. All it took was a sufficient push in the right direction, and that's all it ever takes. A fine reason to keep caution and detangle, but there's also beauty to be found in the fragility of that balance.

The artwork "After the Storm" by artist Zak Yates is a powerful and engaging account of his personal experience following a violent storm that struck his region. Yates, known for his expertise in multimedia arts, has created this extraordinary digital piece that portrays a snapshot of a city in shades of orange and purple, derived from the glow of street lamps and the blue of the night.
The composition of "After the Storm" focuses on a captivating foreground, where broken and entangled electrical cables become the central element of the artwork. Yates skillfully conveys a sense of destruction and chaos caused by the storm through the adept use of detail and lines. The cables, once symbols of connection and progress, now represent a network that confines and divides.This transformation highlights human vulnerability and the fragile nature of infrastructure in the aftermath of a calamitous event. The skilled use of color isa distinguishing feature of "After the Storm." The subtle yellow of the street lamps creates a visual contrast that captures the viewer's attention and conveys a sense of hope and warmth despite the surrounding destruction. The deep blue of the night, on the other hand, adds depth and mystery to the artwork, creating an atmosphere of tranquility after the storm. This combination of colors evokes a range of contrasting emotions, from anxiety to hope, from uncertainty to rebirth. Through "After the Storm," Yates invites the viewer to reflect on the complexity of human experiences in crisis situations and the dynamics of resilience that emerge after traumatic events. The artwork prompts contemplation of the human capacity to overcome obstacles and find newfound strength and awareness in the light that follows darkness. In summary, "After the Storm" by Zak Yates is an engaging digital artwork that captures the viewer's attention through detailed composition and vibrant use of color. Yates skillfully conveys his personal experience in the face of devastation caused by the storm, inviting the viewer to contemplate resilience and hope that can emerge from crisis situations. "After the Storm" represents a moment of transformation and rebirth, an artwork that celebrates the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.