My collage process: social/political artwork from 2004-2009

As a designer, I've long been obsessed with beauty of print media. Before my thesis project, where I created a series of 60+ pieces of collage artwork, I created a collection of politically and socially inspired art. 

It was back in 2004 when I began experimenting with enlarging words (from newspapers and printed type from my inkjet) via the xerography process and then hand tearing and cutting those words into collage imagery.










One of my first pieces using this process, was based on the 2004 Kerry/Bush election (shown on the left).

A Nation Divided, 18" x 18"  ©2004

---

This piece was inspired by Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it left behind.

Everyone from the national, state and local level, was trying to point blame regarding rescue/ recovery efforts (the  inspiration around the finger pointing visual.)

Katrina, 24" x 24", ©2005

---

In 2006 Immigration was (well it still is) a hot-button issue. 

This piece is based on looking at this issue with the glass half-empty or half full concept.

I photocopied the word 'immigration' many times and individually cut out those letters to symbolize people. I also creating a wall of words symbolizing the tension around this topic.


Half Empty or Half Full?, 18" x 18", ©2006

---

When Pres. Obama won in 2008, I was inspired to mark this historical event by printing his entire inauguration speech, photocopying the words in several sizes, and collaging the entire speech (yes the entire speech is included over these 2 pieces) to make both portraits.

---

Pres. Obama and the First Lady, 
 18" x 18"  each, ©2009

















Symbolically, the uneven tones and broken lines of the type enlarged via xerography process is meant to exploit the importance of print media. This is one of the main reasons why I began this journey, exploring this collage process back in 2004.

I may create 3rd collection of collage artwork in the near future, until then I hope you enjoy a look back of what sparked my passion into the world of collage art and illustration.

-CG


Production notes/purchasing info:(Shown in this blog are 4 pieces from my 15 piece collection created from 2004-2009. Please contact me at [email protected] if you are interested in purchasing the original artwork shown in this blog, or to see a complete visual list from this collection).

All of my artwork is mixed media with acrylic, high-gloss UV varnished on 2" deep canvas. 

---

a close-up view of Obama artwork