Big Head Lil Boy 71.12 x 55.88cm 28 x 22in
Gaze of The God King 71.12 x 60.96cm 28 x 24in
Where Do I Start 71.12 x 60.96cm 28 x 24in
The Bolt Series
by Jay DelNegro
This series begins with the shape of the lightning bolt. To me, the bolt represents power in all its forms: the power around us, the power within us, and the power that exists in fragments. Across these three works, the bolt becomes a container, a divider, and a signal—holding emotion, identity, authority, and resistance all at once. Each piece explores how power is expressed, constrained, and ultimately confronted.
Big Head Lil Boy — The Broken Bolt
This piece tells the story of a broken bolt. The Champ dominates the canvas, smiling brightly, his bust large and encompassing, yet his colors are intentionally muted. He appears whole on the surface, but something is missing. Inside the fractured lightning bolt lives the little boy—split in two, confined, yet painted in bold, vibrant color.
Though his expression is subdued, his presence is powerful. A black bird rests within the bolt, symbolizing the wish for freedom. The colors inside the broken bolt are intense and alive, while the colors outside feel quieter and restrained. This contrast reflects a tension between outward strength and inner fracture, between who we present to the world and what we carry inside.
Gaze of the God King
Gaze of the God King presents a statuesque figure, watchful and imposing, confined within the lightning bolt. A yellow hue above his head signals divinity—he is a deity, omnipresent in spirit, yet trapped in a mystical, mythic space.
Outside the bolt, abstract blues flow freely, representing the world moving within his gaze. Formed shapes of purple, magenta, and yellow introduce a sense of rules and structure—systems guarded and maintained without awareness from those living beneath them. The God King sees all, but remains contained, a symbol of power that observes yet cannot intervene.
Where Do I Start — Revolution
This final piece signifies revolution. A solid black background surrounds the lightning bolt, creating a sense of weight and urgency. In front of it stands a figure with his right fist raised, eyes closed, head lowered—an image inspired by Tommie Smith at the 1968 Olympics.
Inside the bolt are protesters, fire, signs, and unrest. This is the emotion within the question—the rage, confusion, and urgency that spark change. The bolt holds the collective feeling of upheaval. The figure outside represents stoic resilience: the will to stand tall, to persevere, and to endure. Together, they ask a simple but powerful question—where do we begin?