In thinking about curating a group of works, it is important to understand their relation to one another. Being that I started this exhibition with a piece by Jorge Isordia titled Untitled, as is clearly politically charged with the American flag as the center focus, I have created an exhibition of other pieces with the same drive toward activism whether its making a statement about the issues as a whole, or delving deeper into specific social causes. The other works in this collection are from a diverse group of artists with mediums ranging from 2D to 3D. With one painting, one sculpture, one installation, and one photograph, I feel that this collective touches upon all ways of expressing patriotism and lack thereof.

While it is true that political artwork has been popular for centuries, it is especially prevalent in today’s age. The past year has been filled with more political artwork than ever before, and I want this exhibition to highlight that phenomenon. Even though these works were not all made last year, they deal with issues that are still present today. These works deal with war, nationalism, reproductive rights, and the American experience as a whole, but also allow for outside perspectives to acclimate new interpretations. Continuing this conversation into the new year that is approaching, I hope this collection sheds light to the political conversation that needs to continue to happen because if the injustices that still occur in this country and in other countries across the globe.

This piece is as patriotic as it gets because of the use of the American flag and what it symbolizes. It leaves the audience questioning their own faith in America and its government and makes them think hard about what it means to be an American citizen and how that disproportionally affects people across the country and even across the world. With great increase of symbolism in social movements and their counter movements, the American flag holds great weight, especially because the person holding it doing so in a trash bin. This piece is the foundation to the entirety of this exhibition because it is the most closely related piece to what we know as tradition patriotism today.The use of military grade weaponry makes for a bold statement on the idea of war and the consequences that it comes with. Because this gun is decorated in flashy materials and bright pink colored butterflies, it explores the fetishization and romanticization of war, even though in the end it may hurt civilians more than help them. Especially with the immense amount of casualties that have come from conflict going on today plus the lack of gun regulation in the United States, this piece has an almost satirical tone because it comments on the disproportion of the cause and effects of gun violence, just one of the issues concerning the idea of patriotism and what you are willing to sacrifice for your country. 

With a very prominent character such as the Monopoly man, who symbolizes the lavish of capitalism, this piece makes a statement about the effects of such a government; it shows that while capitalism can be beneficial to some groups, usually the top percent, it can also be a cause of the downfall of others. Being that the officer is arresting the Monopoly man, it exemplifies that capitalism is more corrupt than it seems to be. The medium that is being used here, spray paint on canvas, alludes to a more contemporary mark-making, showing that even though Monopoly is timeless, the issues that surround the game stay current through the years. The difference is that these issues coming more to light now than they did in the past. 

Because there are many laws being put into effect that are directly related to reproductive rights, this piece expresses the need for more laws in support of women instead of against them. While this piece features perfume and other cosmetic casings that are filled with mensural blood, it shows that women need more of a voice in legislation and other law making. Outside of the governmental aspects of women's rights, there are also social ones that are touched upon in this piece. It comments on the need for normalization of women's bodies and all their functions. Because the period blood is right there in front, it demands to be noticed and forces the audience to confront their own internalized misogyny.  

Bibliography

“Alec Monopoly: Community Chest (2014): Available for Sale.” Artsy, https://www.artsy.net/artwork/alec-monopoly-community-chest.

“Christen Clifford: I Want Your Blood (2013-2019): Available for Sale.” Artsy, https://www.artsy.net/artwork/christen-clifford-i-want-your-blood.

“Jorge Isordia, Untitled, 2019.” La Frontera/The Border: An Interdisciplinary Examination, https://scalar.chapman.edu/scalar/la-frontera/media/jorge-isordia-untitled-2019.

“Laila Shawa: Where Souls Dwell V (2013): Available for Sale.” Artsy, https://www.artsy.net/artwork/laila-shawa-where-souls-dwell-v.