Capitol Improvements

Description

The graffiti botanical Capitol Improvements is my emotional response to the insurrection that occurred on January, 6 2021. The siege was one of the biggest threats to American democracy to date. It’s orchestration by Donald Trump through “stop the steal” and the “big lie” is the highest form of misconduct by a sitting president and a dangerous manipulation of the electorate who support him. It served to embolden right-wing extremists and to further polarize an already polarized nation. We must not forget those caught up in the insurrection who were traumatized, injured or killed. It was a watershed moment that cemented my belief that we need to fight for a democracy that does not suppress and candidates that do not trade on hate, fear and extreme religiosity. Capitol Improvements speaks to that belief—featuring many meaningful graffiti snippets from around the world that embody social justice. We must improve America. We must inspire hope and strive for a just democracy. Capitol Improvements combines graffiti with botanicals in the most unexpected approach. Vibrant butterflies, blooms and street art ephemera are re-imagined. All elements become individual drawings. Colors from decaying graffiti walls become my palette. Imagery is physically burnished into the surface of my substrates in multiple stages intertwined with acrylic, pigment ink, spray paint and other mediums to form a composed work of art that is uniquely individual blending nature with the urban landscape.