“Denomination” is the fourth and final piece in a four part series. This piece depicts the obsession with money that is perpetuated by the capitalist system and by the American government. The title has a double meaning of both a group or branch of any religion and the face value of a banknote. The praying hands depict the faith that people have in money and the capitalist system along with the fear that this system projects. While the hands are praying for monetary prosperity, which is equated to freedom in capitalist society, they are unaware of the constraints of dependence that money imposes on them. 

Denomination

The third painting of a four part series, “Watch, Rinse, Repeat” is a rendition of the chaos and anxiety that the media and news pushes into our lives. The back and forth accusations of fake news and misinformation creates a culture of fear and distrust not just for the media and the government, but on a personal level for our own friends and families. The manipulation of fear among the masses has been a strategic tactic used by the government since America’s founding. Currently it is being used with more intensity than ever before as Americans are being pitted against one another based on their political beliefs in order to divide our country. This chaotic spiral of imagery and text is a visual representation of how the topic of fear and trust affects our anxieties, memories, and paranoia.

Watch, Rinse, Repeat

The second piece in a four part series, “Deny, Deny, Deny” delves into the topic of misogyny in American culture, politics, and iconic media. This painting calls attention to the present rise of rape culture in our country, due to President Trump downplaying the seriousness of molestation and sexual assault. The title is a direct quote from President Trump as he was giving advice to men who have been accused of sexual assault. There are more direct quotes hidden within the painting. The image of Snow White, the first Disney princess, has been an iconic symbol of femininity for many years and places a twisted set of guidelines on young girls of their place in society. This painting depicts Snow White being silenced as so many women have been and continue to be.

Deny, Deny, Deny

“Laughing With”, the first of a four part series, examines the concepts of memory and nostalgia, specifically in relation to the imagery of old Disney cartoons. Is the naivety of children to enjoy and laugh along with cruel, bigoted, and harmful imagery truly innocent? How do painful historical events translate to a child’s mind and to our own memories? The figures on the top right corner are depictions of the Jim Crow characters from the Disney movie Dumbo. These characters are a classic example of the racism that was present in many Disney films and was massively broadcasted to children during the time; many of which held onto these beliefs throughout their lives. The price tags show that these characters, slavery, racism, and the Disney corporation all exist for monetary purposes.

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Hallie Lederer