Lady Democracy (2024)
Mixed Media (Oil, golden Metal Leaf, Collage) on Linen
50 x 50 cm
Lady Democracy – I have a dream
Democracy Reinterpreted
Lady Democracy I (2024, mixed media on canvas, 50 x 50 cm) is an artistic reflection on the state of democracy and its threats in the present. In this work, historical and contemporary forms of expression come together to make the fragility and ambivalence of democratic values visible. The depiction of a black woman as a symbol of democratic hope questions existing power structures and the exclusivity of Western narratives of freedom and equality.
Collaged elements – including a photograph of the entrance to Auschwitz, an image of Indonesian freedom fighters, an upside-down “Gaza” from a map section, and lines from Victor Jara’s protest song “El Derecho de Vivir en Paz” – create a multi-layered composition. These fragments invite us to see democracy not as a closed ideal, but as a global and ongoing process shaped by historical trauma, resistance, and the search for justice.
Democracy and Art: Materials and Symbolism
The choice of materials – oil paint, metal leaf, felt wool and collaged paper – underlines the symbolic depth of the work. Golden elements in the background are in tension with the message of the work: while gold symbolizes values such as shine and durability on the one hand, it also warns against the danger of putting economic interests above democratic ideals. The interplay of oil paint and everyday materials such as paper and text fragments makes it clear that democracy is not abstract, but deeply rooted in everyday social life.
Historical references reinforce the narrative power of the work: Auschwitz as a memorial against totalitarianism, Indonesian freedom fighters as a symbol of global movements beyond the Western focus and Gaza as a metaphor for unresolved conflicts. Lines from Jara’s song remind us of the fragility of democracy in the face of external interference and geopolitical interests. Together, these elements form a dense fabric of history, resistance and reflection.
Freedom and Art as Living Processes
The work poses a central question: How resilient is democracy in a world of increasing inequality and technocratic influences? It points to current threats posed by global corporations, filter bubbles and algorithmic manipulation that are corroding public discourse and challenging democratic structures. At a time when social media is fragmenting social reality, Lady Democracy I emphasizes that democracy is a living process that requires constant self-criticism and active participation.
The materiality of the work – from the tactile surface of the felt wool to the shine of the metal leaf – can hardly be captured in a reproduction. This physical depth symbolizes the complexity of democratic societies: a combination of very different perspectives that cannot be reduced to simple answers. Purchasing this work therefore means more than owning an art object. It is a statement for a reflective engagement with the ideals and realities of our time.
If you are interested in this work, please contact me:
connect [at] corneliaessaid.de
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