Utilizing a pre-existing mural of the American flag (ironically painted by a Mexican immigrant) “A Patriot Act” addresses both the Bush administration’s initiative as well as the current socio-political environment in the U.S. I chose to position myself smack dab in the middle of the flag so as to be as blatant as the abuses of power in the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. A.C.T. and as dangerous as a country that values “National Security” over the rights of its citizens. The idea behind this piece posed a technical challenge: to paint myself into the mural. The process of meeting this challenge became an important part of the piece.

2006