COVID-19: more than a recent crisis

COVID-19: more than a recent crisis

Mixed media collage. 12×12”. 2020.

Using found ephemera, magazines, art books, hand colored papers and acrylic sheet.

Statement hung with the piece:

“We are in the midst of a health crisis, an economic crisis and a social crisis — and systemic racism is at the heart of each. The day after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody, the covid-19 death toll in the United States passed 100,000. Two days after that, the unemployment number passed 40 million. Throughout the pandemic, black people have been infected and have lost their jobs at higher rates than white people.”          Katrina vanden Heuvel The Washington Post op-ed June 9th 2020

“As of June 7th 2020,  48% of cases,  54% of deaths, are in 22% of all counties, that are disproportionately black.”     amfAR

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This piece was made in request for artwork for display in the COVID-19 POPSUP IN ART show at Dixie State University, St. George, Utah. As I was preparing to make the piece, the terrible murder of George Floyd, yet another man of color, happened whilst in police hands, in broad daylight. As a consequence the many anti-racist protests have happened around the world have taken place and are still happening.

I wanted to high light the many disadvantages people of color have in this country, and more so in this pandemic. The main portrait is of a Black nurse working on the frontline.

I have repurposed pages from books about x-ray art, Senegal jewelry, 1930’s wallpaper and a dictionary, as well as hand painted papers. The mask is made up of 2 dictionary pages explaining the words ‘SYSTEMIC’ and ‘RACISM’.

It will be on display July 15th through August 28th 2020.

At the EFAC 155 S University Ave. in St. George, UT. Doors will be open Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except during school holidays. Admission is FREE.

PLEASE WEAR A MASK.