The Work of Artist Laura Elkins to be Featured at D.C. Statehood Winter Teach In

Proceeds to benefit the ACLU-NCA D.C. Statehood Fund

Artist Statement - Civil Liberties

During lunch dates over the past several months, Johnny Barnes and I often discussed the issues that drive his desire for statehood for the District. Although I certainly miss having the representation I always took for granted before I moved here, I have serious personal and political issues with the District government -- I was a hard sell.  However, as the conversations became more specific, and Johnny explained to me how our rights and riches are subject to the whims of Congress, he sealed the deal.  He told me about his plans for the Teach In and asked me to create paintings for the event that address some of the civil rights issues behind the statehood movement.

Civil Liberties, my response to Johnny's request, is part of an extensive, ongoing series of paintings titled The White House Collection, self-portraits as First Ladies.  By embracing First Lady imagery, I create self-portraits that are deeply personal, while inherently historical and political. The work addresses social and cultural issues, including current events, while maintaining the intimate, everywoman quality of the self-portrait.   The work is part of a long painting tradition of creating a persona, often fictional, through self-portraiture.  In fact, the fictional quality of the official First Lady portraits attracted me to this idea in the first place.  This conceptual device allows me an imaginative and expressive vehicle to explore individual autonomy and mutability, not to mention, in this case, civil liberties in the District!

YOU'RE INVITED: Art Auction Benefitting D.C. Statehood

Artists, Artistry and Dancing on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

At the recent D.C. Statehood "Teach In," the self-taught, urban artist who calls himself "Peekaso" (pronounced Picasso) captured on canvas the artistry of the inimitable Chuck Brown, while the nationally published, professional photographer, Mark Podger, captured with his camera those same images.

Peekaso at work

Podger at work

On one of the hottest days for June in Washington D.C.'s history, that urban artist whose real name is Demont Pinder labored, stage left, as Chuck Brown and his band of 20 musicians took stage center, moving a crowd of several hundred to dance on the West lawn of the United States Capitol. Not to be outdone, Podger the Photographer, drenching in sweat, navigated those gathered, gaining penetrating views through his seasoned lens. A young African American from Southeast D.C. and a well trained photographer from suburbia, combining to give us a compelling recollection of those memorable moments. View more photos from the event.