Make America What America Must Become
"Great men have done great things here, and will again, and we can make America what America must become."
America is an anxious nation chasing a more perfect union. As it's political body struggles along the arc of justice, the truths “we” hold, rarely appear self-evident. Complicated by an overtly mediated era, today's social movements demand a punctuated examination of #historicalconsequence and #power. At this moment, the distance between Art and Politics—reflection and response—seems to be collapsing. In a letter to his nephew on the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, philosopher and American commentator, James Baldwin, offered an optimistic but urgent message, "Great men have done great things here, and will again, and we can make America what America must become."
During a summer of electoral consternation, the CAC presents Make America What America Must Become, An Exhibition of Gulf South Artists. Together, 34 artists from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Bulbancha examine how power is made manifest in culture, politics, economics, and ecology. Their works speak urgently to the current political paradigm and reflect broadly on the conjuring and churning of the American fever dream.
When I painted the mural series in the French Quarter as with all my art I painted from the heart. I had a very successful run of my mural in the French Quarter. I was like ok, what’s next? I was contacted to have my mural on display at the Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans. My murals were featured in a group show titled “Make America What America Must Become”. I was honored to be among so many other talented artists. This series got great reviews in The Times Picayune and Art in America. These images have definitely taken on a life of its own. I could not have dreamed of a better way to showcase my art and message to more people.
