Conversation with the Artist “American Still Life”
Can you describe the painting?
Some elements are difficult to discern without standing close to the painting, yet the work is layered with historical symbolism. A sheet of paper bearing the words “We the People” references the U.S. Constitution, while the book titled Uncle Tom’s Cabin rests on the table as a reminder of America’s troubled history with slavery. The rose designated the national floral emblem in 1986 appears alongside objects that carry heavier historical weight: a rope and a gun, both shaped by centuries of conflict and consequence. The Bible and the Liberty Bell, shown lying on its side, reflect their pivotal roles in American history while also suggesting a double meaning faith, freedom, and the fragility of both. The darkened background symbolizes the dark chapters of a country with light coming from the front echoing the belief that even through history’s deepest shadows, light persists. Although many details are subtle, each object holds deeper significance, collectively reflecting both the triumphs and the failures embedded in history.
Whom does this artwork speak to?
The piece speaks to Americans, and more broadly to humanity. The history of any nation whether the United States or elsewhere is forged through both good and bad. One cannot exist without the other. These contrasts become the foundation upon which the future is built. No land is owned forever, and no ideology endures unchanged.
American Still Life 2025
Acrylic on Canvas
30 x 24 inches (76.2 x 60.96 cm)
What is the central message of this artwork?
To understand history is to open the door to compassion. Knowledge of history helps cultivate compassion because it reveals the struggles, injustices, and lived experiences of those who came before us. By understanding what people endured oppression, displacement, inequality, war, and resilience we begin to see others not as opponents or strangers, but as human beings shaped by circumstance.
History teaches that suffering is rarely isolated or simple. It shows how fear, power, and misinformation can harm communities, and how empathy, courage, and solidarity can heal them. When we learn history, we recognize patterns: how dehumanization leads to violence, and how understanding leads to progress.
This awareness encourages humility. It reminds us that no society is flawless, no nation is built without contradiction, and no generation is immune to repeating mistakes. Through historical knowledge, judgment softens into empathy, blame gives way to understanding, and compassion becomes an informed choice rather than a passive emotion.
In knowing history, we learn not only what happened but why kindness, accountability, and care for one another matter.