Permanent Collection

Artist: Irina Goryunova

Title: "28°31′10.5″N 81°22′36.5″W"

Media: Oil on canvas

Year: 2016

Dimensions: 40 x 30 in.

Provenance: New York City, New York, United States

Artist Nationality: Moscow, Russia

Women in the Arts Permanent Collection, Orlando, Florida, United States of America (2017).

Artist Statement

"I was in America on June 12, 2016; the day of the nightclub shooting in Orlando. I made this oil painting dedicated to the victims of the tragedy. I called it 28°31'10.5"N 81°22'36.5"W, the geographical coordinates of the Pulse nightclub.

We, the people -though we each have our own dreams, views on life, and goals- live on the same planet and breathe the same air. Blood of the same color runs through our veins. We are all people who want to live, to love, and to be loved. We all want to see a continuation of ourselves in our deeds, our children, and our legacy. Although I believe we are one people, I see us divided, classified by our differences. I will not accept those divisions.

For this reason, I named this piece using the geographic coordinates of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. In the numbers, no skin color, sexual orientation, or political or religious belief is visible, just the location of the tragedy. There is no categorization in the title. We, the people are together.”