This show centers around civil war portraits in a silkscreen series. Shown in Portland OR, “Library Tapes” consists of sampled etchings found in the history section of Seattle and Portland’s libraries. The result is to recontextualize a form of printmaking and it’s display but also consider male identity. 150 years after the Civil War, the male identity is ever changing- after being so constant for so many years.
How does the American man identify himself? Often it’s through leisure, hunting, drinking beers, sports and video games. How does the male find himself as an artist? What place do concepts patriotism, duty, sacrifice, protection and war take place in America. Much of what defined the American man no longer exists- though our culture still drives these concepts on.
