On the Steps of cONGRESS

This painted work is a depiction of the depletion of a resource sacred to the Hopi tribe. Everyday about 3.3 million gallons of ancient pristine groundwater is mixed with coal to create slurry that travels from the Peabody Coal mine at the Black Mea to a power plant in the Mojave Desert. The coal energy then produces electricity for American conspicuous consumption; lighting – up Las Vegas, Nev. Or “Sin City” to run air conditioners in an area that could reach over 110 degrees during summer, as well as places like Los Angeles, CA and Phoenix, AZ. Are these luxuries really necessary?

American consumers and the industries that profit from them have justifies themselves as people just trying to live the American dream of prosperity. This is a childish and irresponsible attitude that will have a catastrophic effects as Americans proceed to consume massive amounts of resources both locally and globally.

During the birth of this civilized culture, new Westerners experiences a culture clash agains the indigenous people of Turtle island. After the American Revolution, foreigners began to idealize the romanticized Wild West.

“On the Steps…” was motivated by another painting that then manifested during the beginning of American expansion into the west with America’s posture being guided by Manifest Destiny. “On the Steps…” is a reflecting mockery of John Vanderlyn’s painting, “the murder of Jane McCrea.” He completed this piece and it was exhibited in paris in 1804. Vanderlyn’s piece provides a false interpretation of Native American and was used as propaganda in rationalizing the genocide against the “savage Indians” of the new world. I replaced Jane McCrea with a Hopi maiden and replaced the “savages” with war pigs to epitomize the savagery that really took place on American soil. The maiden is being attached and raped by war pigs that want to indulge in the dream; holding onto their power – regardless of the cost to others.

Brando Welhelm