*Update January 5, 2017: I created this one in July of 2016. That’s important to note because new issues were popping up everyday during the primaries. The day I was about to apply the finish, news stories came out about Russia’s involvement with our candidates. So in the upper corner, I added a tiny printed word “Russia”. Had I made this today, it would certainly be much larger.
*Update February 2, 2017: If you are in the Akron area, look for "The Devil's Strip" magazine. This piece is featured on the cover.
Here’s the fifth one in my leg series. I”m calling it “Political Quagmire” and it represents the choices the American voter faced in the 2016 presidential election. Read more below on what to look for in this collage from torn magazines.
Being in my fifties, I’ve lived through several presidential elections. This one is like no other. Everyday there seems to be something new to discuss and not necessarily something beneficial regarding the problems facing our country and how the candidates plan on solving them. Adding to all the craziness, the main stream media and social media are adding fuel to the fire.
So, as a statement about this election cycle, I created this piece. Here’s what to look for in the big picture:
- The woman represents the voter and the choices she faces.
- The blue dress is for the Democrats, the red shoes are for the Republicans.
- The down turned flag represents the sad state of this political season.
- The bird represents Bernie. He’s flying away because at this point, its unlikely he will be the Democratic candidate.
- The pen in her hand represents a possible write-in vote.
- The drops of green ink from the pen represents third party candidates including the Green and Libertarian parties.
The background is made up of words and sentences regarding mostly Clinton and Trump. There is a lot, but here is a sample:
- Minimum wage debate
- The first (representing Hillary as the first female candidate of a major party)
- Law on the border
- Bar people on the basis of religion
- Muslim immigrants
- Latino voters
- Hillary accepting money from Goldman Sachs
- Trump saying he should shoot someone on fifth avenue and wouldn’t lose voters
- Exploiting fears
- And gobs more.
You’ll also see an Indian Head nickle on the chair, which reflects the history of our country and where we started. On the right edge is a question mark, which is me questioning the sanity of the campaigns and of our choices. That is not visible on this flat image. It needs to be seen in person, to be able to read what’s on the sides of the canvas. Prints are available, but some of the fine print near the top will be hard to read in the smaller sized prints.
Read what is in the other collages of the Leg Series: