HW 4: Photomontage

Part 1: Land of the Free

My first image explores social commentary on the state of our country and the foundations on which it was built. The flag is distorted, blood spatter added for dramatic effect, and the image is rotated to simulate a distress signal. Given what seems to be a constantly rising threat of conflict and political unrest in our country, I saw it fitting to address it in part one of this assignment. I found myself very engaged in creating this as it prompted me to think about the other ways in which our country has fallen short. My hope is there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that someday, we'll live in a country where our politicians don't make careers off of deceit and international conflict, and private insurance companies no longer have a monopoly on healthcare. My hope is that one day, humanity is no longer privatized and commodified in this country.

Part 2: Royal Predecessors

My second image highlights Black pioneers of music inside an Elvis outline. Figures include James Brown, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. This collage addresses appropriation of Black music in history while emphasizing the contributions of these musicians.