5 joined panels – acrylic and collaged handmade paper/newspaper/music on birch; 48x192” (4x16’)

​Themes:  Politics . Civil Dialogue . Public Art . Political Art

I have never liked politics.  The heated views, emphatic use of jargon and innuendo, the rabid quoting of facts/semi-facts/false facts and statistics can make things quite uncomfortable.   However, in considering my vote, and more importantly, in learning about how we organize ourselves, how we live politically – for let’s face it, everything is political - I am learning how to have these difficult conversations.  
This 5-piece eagle painting is my facilitator

When Canada had its last federal election, I carried this piece with me everywhere.  I invited any one who wanted, to answer this question:  What matters to you about governance?  Choose a wing, choose your writing tool and write!  Often we would talk.  Why did you choose that wing?  How do you see your concerns being addressed in out political parties?  My goal was to listen, to see if we could move beyond cynicism and dualisms, to see where there was common ground.   
American politics spills across borders.  As talk in the public square deteriorates into bullying and slander, I want to push back and invite civil dialogue – at least here, as we stand in front of this painting, let us talk and try to listen to one another…