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 titles Untitled. Because this piece is clearly politically charged, as it has an 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 across the board. 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 about as patriotic as it gets because if the blankets 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 does that disproportionally affect people across the country as well as across the world.The use of military grade weaponry makes for a bold statement on the idea of war and the consequences that comes with. Because this gun is decorated in flashy materials and the bright pink colored butterflies, it makes a commentary on the fetishization and romanticization of war, even thought in the ends it may hit civilians more than help them.
 

With a  very prominent character such as the monopoly man, which symbolizes the lavish of capitalism, this piece makes a statement about the effects of such a government and shows that it is not all that it is cracked up to be. Being that the officer is seeming to arrest the Monopoly man, it exemplifies that capitalism is more corrupt than it seems to be.

With many laws being put into effect that are directly related to reproductive rights, this pieces 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.

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.