Artist Statment:

When news reports began leaking out that America was approaching an economic freefall, I watched figure-heads pointing their fingers in all directions to place the blame for this catastrophe--from declining housing markets to credit default swaps.  At nearly the same time, Ponzi schemes added to the financial vacuum in the stock market.  When these developments surfaced, the ripple effect of American greed was felt around the world.  Regardless of who was to blame, American’s money-lust finally caught up with them.  The obsession for the American Dream had clearly gotten in the way of common sense.

I could not help but react to these developments as an artist.  My interest lies in the domination of one force over another.  My work questions how America’s economic downturn has influenced the state of the world.  The pieces in this exhibition take a satirical look at America’s economic condition.  I do not intend to make light of our circumstances, but hold true to Emily Dickinson’s words to “Tell all the Truth but tell it slant.”  I believe that humor can disarm viewers, allowing them to engage with the work on several levels.  After they are drawn in by the satire, they begin to see the horror of the circumstances.  Each piece creates a vignette that sheds light on particular aspects of the economic crisis.  Whether there is a collection of figures interacting with one another or a single piece in its own narrative, I illuminate a different part of the economic crisis. 

In each piece, there is a display of dominance where in forces manipulate the system at whatever the cost.  My work adds to the rising criticism of the free markets of capitalism, challenging the viewer to look closer at what actually defines “free.”  Tension and a sense of frustration is at the heart of the satire- a feeling very familiar to the average American.  The combination of the tension and humor aims to bring the viewer to self-reflection.  It calls viewers to question their place in the narrative and understand their part in the broader scheme of national identity.  It is from this self-actualization that change can start to take place… if only initially in the individual sphere.