Trump Trooper: NOT -Making America Great Again

Trump Trooper: NOT Making America Great Again, oil on canvas, 117 x 56 cm, ©Steve Lewis 2016

Looking down the barrel of a gun is the feeling we will have with Donald Trump as the next American president. This trooper flashing the “T” logo as a badge has been ordered to do the bidding of Trump in his efforts to "make America great again", but what consequence will this promise have for the world? We have already witnessed his sharp shooting words and verbal attacks on women, Mexicans, and Muslims during his campaign for the Republican candidacy. This image offers no hope of diplomacy. Having the Star Spangled Banner inverted as a symbol of distress and lying across the ground ironically charges this threatening propaganda. Ready for action, Trump’s trooper shamelessly stands upon the flag with complete disregard for which it stands, ignorant of the values that America is founded on. 

www.SteveLewisArt.com

©Steve Lewis 2016

Fearing Support: States of America

State of America III, oil on canvas, 60 x 40 cm, ©Steve Lewis 2016

State of America I, oil on canvas, 50 x 40 cm, ©Steve Lewis 2016

The United States election of 2016 has been hijacked by Donald Trump. His bigotry and shrewdness is hardly as terrifying as the support he has received from the American people. How he has managed to stay in the lead is frightening for many around the world. One only needs to tune in to a Republican debate to see the type of person he is and how dangerous he could be as a leader. His bullying tactics and disrespectful words have won the support of a public who is tired of the establishment and excited to see this non-political bombshell turn Washington upside down. Trump has tapped into key issues and self-proclaimed to be the only candidate capable of finding the solutions. His confidence and repetitive statements are cheered even when no real plans have been offered. Seeking approval by spreading hate and fear should repulse voters rather than attract them. Drudging up the worst in society is the most disgusting and horrifying aspect of this election. Trump has made this "us vs. them" mentality acceptable and to many correct. To "Make America Great Again," Trump is announcing who and what is to blame for making it so awful and igniting the voters' national pride, which runs dangerously deep and strong in all Americans whether they want to admit it or not, to get them on his side. An American society afraid of not being as great as it believes it should be is dangerous. One that is being fed messages which demonize others is terrifying. These paintings are visual reactions to Trump, his campaign, and the shock of his overwhelming and blind support. These ghosts lurking in the darkness or posing as in family portraits represent this fear for what may come.

www.SteveLewisArt.com

©Steve Lewis 2016

Touring through Leipzig

It has been a long time since I posted last.  It seems as though so many things have happened and so much time has gone by.  Writing these posts seemed easier before.  They seemed to flow very smoothly.  What happened?  Why has there been so much time gone by?  What was I up too?

Thinking back, everything got so busy.  The summer was full traveling to the US and then Ireland.  Then once I was back home in Leipzig, school started and I had to concentrate on work.  New teachers in my department needed assistance, a new program in grade 11 needed a lot of attention, and I had two art shows lined up, plus two more that were not planned.  That's what happened.  Wow.  It was such a crazy time getting everything ready.  All at once.

Before flying to the US in July, I was offered to display my work at Linguarama for the summer.  I loaded all the paintings up and hung them at their downtown office.  It had been years since I last hung new work on their walls.  It was good to know the work would be seen while I was away.  We had a nice closing reception in August before taking down the show.

In September I worked with two artists to show our work at the Kirow Factory during the weekend of the Spinnerei Rundgang, where the galleries and art studios had open houses and exhibition receptions.  It was a great opportunity .  It was fun showing work along with Karli Haupt and Ewan Cameron.  It was an experience.  Karli was a great host.

 

At the same time I was invited to show work in Altenburg, Germany at the Reichenbach Palace.  The exhibition was during the same weekend in September. So all six Meta-Triptychs were on display but at two locations, an hour's drive away from one another.  It was also a great opportunity.  Many visitors were there to see the art and many more were there to see the building, which was open to the public during the historical society's open house weekend.  It was also an opportunity to meet some local artists.  Included in the show was the artist group Tacheles from Berlin, Michael Fischer-Art, Beck, Yvonne Kuschel, Carolin Okon, and Anthony Lowe among others.

 

 

Ostthüringer Zeitung, September 15, 2014

Then shortly thereafter, I was asked to exhibit all the paintings at Webervogel for the grand Gala!  This was a wonderful grand opening that I was happy to have taken part.  Catherine Chalk held a huge event with lots of press for her new textile house.  It was very well attended.

 

 

Last but not least, I got word that I could hang two paintings on the exhibition wall in the Noch Besser Leben.  The work went up in October and will soon be coming down.  The second half of 2014 was booked with exhibitions.  I am very happy to have had each of these opportunities.  Now it is time to look forward to 2015.  With six new paintings on the way, I am working toward showing the set of 12 together in a suitable arts venue.  I think to expand to Berlin and Dresden would be beneficial.  So if you are interested and can help get my work out there, please share these posts, forward links to SteveLewisArt.com , and comment below.  Many thanks to all those who have helped along the way throughout 2014!