catharsis
48 x 36", acrylic, oil, bird nest, resin, ink, ribbon, trash on panel, 2009
The piece, created by invitation to the “Manifest Hope: DC” exhibition to honor Barack Obama’s inauguration, signifies "home" built from rubble, strife, and sacrifice.
I painted a Western Bluebird building a nest. The nest is real; I wove a red ribbon through it, which is also carried by the bird. I included garbage that I found on the ground outside my studio building.
Like the birds in the wild, who actually build nests from trash littering their environment, the piece captured the feeling of that moment in the country: to make the most of what they have been given and create something positive and beautiful.
Detail of imbedded bird's nest, which has a red ribbon woven through it. The same ribbon is in the bird's mouth and the water, below.
Detail of styrofoam cup, paint brush, flotsam found on the street, the red ribbon, children's toys, and painted grasses imbedded in a cavity of resin.
Catharsis
Along with its partners, MoveOn.org Political Action, the Service Employees International Union and Obey Giant, MANIFESTHOPE: DC, issued an inspiring visual call-to-action, encouraging a redirection of public energy toward true reform in three key areas: health care reform, workers rights, and the green economy.
The MANIFESTHOPE: DC Gallery was open to the public in Washington, DC for the days preceding the Presidential Inauguration, Saturday, January 17th, 2009 through Monday, January 19th, 2009between the hours of 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Art exhibition management was provided by our Washington, DC gallery partner, Irvine Contemporary."