Edward Hopper

In 1942 Edward Hopper, an American painter, created this piece titled, "Nighthawks." In this painting, Hopper creates a setting in which two customers are facing the waiter/bartender and another customer who is not. The diner/pub the individuals are in is brightly lit, while it is dark outside. Many believe that Hopper is portraying the idea of separation and feeling of isolation. This is believed to be true due to the fact that this painting was completed during the time of World War II, a time when Americans felt isolated from the rest of the world. Although I will not be recreating this exact piece for my midterm project, I would like to implement the basic principle and techniques used by Hopper to convey a message of my own. I work in a restaurant at home where my friends there are a lot like family. Some of my best friends have come to this country through the standardized immigration process whereas some of my friends have came here illegally. Many of them cannot drive/ obtain a driver's license or receive medical care when often needed. They live in fear of being caught and being deported to their homeland. They are all great people who have come here to better not only their own lives, but mostly their families back home. Although they are living in a beautiful country like America (bright), they themselves struggle internally (dark, isolated). I would like to portray the loneliness they feel and that I feel for them. I will be receiving photographs from a friend of mine who is originally from Guatemala. I will be recreating a photograph he sends me while incorporating Hopper's unique style.