Police Papers 4 of 7

" The tramp is adept at finding ways to keep moving."

This is the 4th piece in a seven-part anthology where I create art directly onto the original police and city council documents I received after being caught painting graffiti in Portimão, Portugal. With these pieces I want to convey my central message which is always finding a way to keep on and keep moving. I don't want to react with barriers and falls, or fight them, but to roll with and create with them.

"But to be able to fall down in such a way that the same second it looks as if one were standing and walking, to transform the leap of life into a walk, absolutely to express the sublime in the pedestrian." – Søren Kierkegaard

To express this concept of keeping on, I introduce some new symbols.

Camina

Camina is my female character and the embodiment of the road. Her name means "walk on" or "keep walking" in Spanish, and to me, she represents a feminized version of camino (the road).

The Helmet of Mambrino

Don Quixote is one of my greatest inspirations. This "helmet" is actually a barber's washbasin that he mistook for a sacred relic. Don Quixote inspires me to keep adventuring, to play with the mundane rather than let it weigh me down, and to follow my dreams—even if they seem mad or unprofitable. He also reminds me not to take things too seriously. He was neither a good knight nor a real one, but he never let that stop him. This story liberates me from the heavy burdens of comparison and imposter syndrome.

The Skeleton Key & 34

The skeleton key features three prongs on one side and four on the other, representing the number 34. This symbolizes "March" (the third month) and "Forth" (four)—because the key to going anywhere is to march forth. The part of the key resembling a castle wall represents the Corona Muralis (Mural Crown), an ancient Roman military honor awarded to the first soldier to scale an enemy wall. In my mind, every time I overcome a barrier, I earn a Corona Muralis, and the key to doing so is marching forth.

The number 34 holds a double meaning for me. It was the prisoner number of the Count of Monte Cristo, one of my favorite novels. Wrongfully imprisoned for 14 years, the Count used his time behind walls to learn, transform, and ultimately escape. His story inspires me that there is always a way out. However, it also serves as a warning not to let hardships embitter you; the Count's obsession with revenge ultimately left him unhappy. Walls should not define us through anger; they are structures to create with.

The Scallop Shell (Concha de Viera) and walking sticks (Bordón)

These symbols originate from the Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrim trails I have spent a lot of time walking. Historically, walking sticks served as essential tools to navigate difficult terrain and provide physical protection. When medieval pilgrims reached the coast of Galicia at the end of their journey, they would collect a scallop shell from the beach and wear it for the walk home as proof of completion. To me, these symbols represent resilience through a difficult journey and reminds me of the many people who have successfully walked the path. They beautifully reflect the traditional Camino greeting, Ultreia et Suseia—"go further, go higher."

Project Details

As part of this project, I have handwritten the English translation of the Portuguese text onto each document. These are not precise translations, but are intended to provide the general context of the paperwork.

The second photo here is the backside of the piece. I did not translate that because I didn't want it to bleed through onto the other side. Here is the translation:

"At the time, date, and location mentioned above, while I was on vehicular patrol duty along the streets adjacent to this police department, together with the police witness, it was possible to spot two individuals who were crouching near a wall.Upon approaching the individuals, and as soon as they became aware of this officer's presence, they immediately stood up and began walking at an accelerated pace, subsequently being intercepted moments later. When passing the location where the individuals had been crouching, a distinct odor of paint/spray could be detected.Upon returning to the said location, it was possible to see black paint scratches on the facade of a residence. The paint showed clear signs of having been recently applied. When questioned, the individuals confirmed they were making graffiti. Both individuals were subjected to a summary frisk on-site, respecting their integrity and privacy, during which several objects related to the commission of the administrative offense were found. It should be noted that prior to the police approach, both suspects set down the paint cans in their possession in an attempt to deceive this police force. Paint in their possession: He/They had in their possession 5 Montana spray cans of various colors, 10 Markals paint sticks, and a pen scribing tool."

The pieces are created using acrylics and alcohol-based markers on official documents. They are sealed with multiple coats of high quality Sennelier matte acrylic spray.