The perpetuation of the myth of the essential White American — Installation

Coaxial Group Exhibition, Pacific Northwest College of Art — 2018

In 2016, the Bundy Occupation at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon captured the nation’s attention. The militant occupation built upon patriot ideologies to recoup control over public lands brought forth awareness of the dangers of aggressive protest and ongoing antagonism between ranching communities and the federal government.

This project started with a simple question: how are these ideals of militancy, patriotism, and masculine heroism embedded throughout generations? 

This perpetuation partly begins with child’s play; mimicking the world and repeating what is heard to inform the child’s role within a community.

Photo credit: Mario Gallucci