These paintings are often in response-- or direct contrast-- to political events. As each new incident is played out and parsed in the circus of the of the 24-hour news cycle, the more obvious it becomes to even the casual observer how wrong it all seems, how misbegotten our attempts at civil society and equality and truth have unfolded. How far we have strayed, in our constant march towards progress, from actual change.
By using toys as symbols, these pieces attempt to hold a mirror to the motivations laid bare by our elected officials, and to the powerful corporate entities delving into our pockets to bolster their bottom line. The child-like drawings, incorporating many of my own childrens' doodles and toys, hint at playfulness, at the truth so obvious to the child's eye: how absurd all of this is. And so we cope, like the children who dance and chant, burning effigies of poor Guy Fawkes.
Remember, remember.