The Locks Have All Been Changed

(Above:  The Locks Have All Been Changed. 43" x 21 1/2".  Mixed media.  Click on any image to enlarge.) 

Sometimes I just can't help myself.  An idea presents itself in my imagination and resistance is not an option.  The work has to be made; the idea haunts my mind until the work is underway.  This is one of those pieces!

(Above:  Detail of The Locks Have All Been Changed.) 

Truthfully, I don't need this piece.  The exhibition, The Degenerate Art Show, to which it is headed is only going to be on view from July 8 - 13 at Stormwater Studios in downtown Columbia.  That's not very long and not in front of many people.  The show is being organized by Jasper Project as a way for local artists to respond to the current socio-political situation.  I was invited to participate and immediately started an installation called Reason for Tears.  (Click here for my most recent update on Reasons for Tears ... which now has ninety-three stitched handkerchiefs.)

 

(Above:  Detail of The Locks Have All Been Changed.)

The thing about this installation, however, is that my mind is really engaged while free-motion stitching the handkerchiefs.  I'm literally THINKING about each "reason for tears" and wondering about all the people effected by sudden executive orders, every proposed action, all the insults and the many lies.  How many people were forced to resign?  How many people were terminated?  How many grants have been halted? How many businesses have lost contracts?  Well ... I asked Steve to do a little research for me.  I asked him to find out how many office leases have been terminated.  Honestly, I thought the number would be low enough that I could create a tagged key for all of them.  NO WAY!  Steve found the official website for the Department of Government Efficiency and scrolled down to "lease terminations".  It's overwhelming.  (The number has increased during the three days it took for me to create this work.  As of this message, there are 485.  There are claims that the number could rise to nearly 800 offices.)  

How could I not make this piece?  It had to be made regardless of the days on view or the number of people who will see it.  It is my response to the staggering number of closures.  It is the least I can do.