Economy Portraits was executed during a six week Artist In Residence project at the Huntington Beach Art Center in California, from March 1 through April 9, 2011.
Frustration at conflicting information from analysts regarding the state of the American economy triggered this series. One night the news reports the recession has ended. The next, hundreds of people are laid off from a large corporation. I decided to go straight to the source and ask people off the street how they...
more »Economy Portraits was executed during a six week Artist In Residence project at the Huntington Beach Art Center in California, from March 1 through April 9, 2011.
Frustration at conflicting information from analysts regarding the state of the American economy triggered this series. One night the news reports the recession has ended. The next, hundreds of people are laid off from a large corporation. I decided to go straight to the source and ask people off the street how they are coping with the current economic conditions.
I set up a portrait studio in a corner of the large William & Lorraine McCure gallery. As people came into the Huntington Beach Art Center, I took their portrait and asked the question "how has the collapse of the economy affected your life"? The portraits were photographed on red, white and black backdrops. Their answer was layered on the portrait in the person's own handwriting and printed on Epson Fine Art Velvet paper, at close to life size. They hung from fishing lines in rows throughout the gallery. When enough were printed, the first images came off the fishing line and were placed on the wall to begin building an American flag. The fishing lines were replenished with newly printed portraits. I photographed a total of 245 people. The finished flag measured 11' high by 18 1/2' long, but could have been twice this size if the wall had been taller.
Economy Portraits generated more interest than I expected. Participants were relieved to be able to voice their opinions and experiences. They were proud to be included in a project that is about their lives and struggles. Government officials, hairdressers, artists, and scientists become equals. Many thanked me for the opportunity to state their case in a manner with purpose.
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