Abandonado
This original oil on canvas was painted by John Day in Pindorama SP Brazil in 2008 and measures 100x120cm
This work presents a semi-abstract urban landscape centered on two towering, derelict high-rise buildings that lean subtly backward into a striking red sky. Originally constructed as residential developments, these buildings symbolize a failed promise—homes that were meant to be purchased by hopeful buyers, many of whom paid deposits before the developer vanished, leaving the structures abandoned.
Over time, the empty buildings became canvases themselves. Layers of graffiti—faithfully incorporated into the painting—trace the passage of years, reflecting neglect, frustration, and the voices of the surrounding community. The color palette of browns, greys, and off-whites reinforces decay, while bursts of graffiti introduce energy and human presence.
In the foreground sits a weathered garage, also marked with graffiti in vivid blues. Atop this structure stands a solitary businessman in a suit. He represents renewal and resolution—the arrival of a new developer who has taken over the site, bringing legitimacy and hope after a period of uncertainty.
Climbing the side of the garage is a lizard, a symbolic figure representing the original developer who fled with investors’ money. Its downward movement suggests escape and elusiveness, contrasting with the grounded, watchful stance of the businessman above.
The red sky looms as an emotional backdrop—suggesting tension, anger, and the intensity of the situation—while also hinting at transformation and the possibility of a new beginning.
Private collection UK.
