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Most people would probably agree that America is in some sort of decline. Beyond that, I doubt we could agree on it's causes or possible outcome. Some see Armageddon around the corner, others see a slow and steady erosion of power, influence and entitlement, ending with us looking like the next Spain or Belgium. My latest body of work tries to make something positive out of the culture of fear and failure that I see and feel all around me.
Central to this new group of paintings is a satirical exploration of the effects of the 'down' economy on our individual and national identity, and a questioning of the role the media plays in amping up our anxiety. The collage method I've been using in my paintings seems well-suited to question this state of things. I use a combination of imagery from sources as varied as news blogs, vintage advertisements and the graphic design of printed money. Through this collision of images I'm seeking to create new and open-ended narratives that are both hopeful and sympathetic.
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