The Bald Eagle’s Claw calls attention to ideas of false-superiority in the United States of America by way of artworks that present as indulgent, disillusioned representations of American patriotism. By repurposing iconography associated with “Americana” culture, the artists involved in this exhibition use painting, sculpture, text and performance to question the U.S.A as a dominating force while demonstrating a concern for how its ideals have flooded beyond its borders and into global consciousness. Similar to the “American Dream,” the works feign this same sense of romantic optimism, gazing forward into the hopeful future, seemingly distracted from the bleak reality of the present.
The Bald Eagle’s Claw, 2019. Installation view, works by Brandon Fujimagari, Yan Wen Chang, Josi Smit and Andrew Harding in view. Photo credit: Polina Teif
The Bald Eagle’s Claw, 2019. Installation view. Photo credit: Polina Teif
The Bald Eagle’s Claw, 2019. Installation view. Works by Brandon Fujimagari in view. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Top:Brandon Fujimagari. Dodge Fever Ad Girl – Nightmare Composition, Acrylic, gouache, graphite, silkscreen & tape on wood, steel. 2019. Bottom: Brandon Fujimagari and D.J. Stewart. Canyon Table, Lacquer finished wood, silkscreen on vinyl, stainless steel. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Brandon Fujimagari. NH Novato Gold 01, Custom American Dye Company Pigments, Bleach, & Silkscreen on Canvas from Mathers, California, Steel. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Left: Works by Brandon Fujimagari. Right: Josi Smit, It was almost like you were there…Barcelona chair frames, Italian Chrome etagere, vertical blinds mechanism, lace, tulle, nickels, vinyl, charm bracelet. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Josi Smit, It was almost like you were there…Barcelona chair frames, Italian Chrome etagere, vertical blinds mechanism, lace, tulle, nickels, vinyl, charm bracelet. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Josi Smit, It was almost like you were there…Barcelona chair frames, Italian Chrome etagere, vertical blinds mechanism, lace, tulle, nickels, vinyl, charm bracelet. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Josi Smit, It was almost like you were there…Barcelona chair frames, Italian Chrome etagere, vertical blinds mechanism, lace, tulle, nickels, vinyl, charm bracelet. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Josi Smit, It was almost like you were there…Barcelona chair frames, Italian Chrome etagere, vertical blinds mechanism, lace, tulle, nickels, vinyl, charm bracelet. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
The Bald Eagle’s Claw, 2019. Installation view, works by Brandon Fujimagari, Yan Wen Chang, Josi Smit and Andrew Harding in view. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Yan Wen Chang. wild swan, mixed media on canvas, 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Andrew Harding, Safe Travels 03, acrylic car hood, brass chain with silver eagle pendant, photograph. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Andrew Harding, Safe Travels 03, acrylic car hood, brass chain with silver eagle pendant, photograph. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Brandon Fujimagari. Double Printed Valley Patch, SILKSCREEN, FORMALDEHYDE PAINT, DENIM. 2018. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Josi Smit, resident of uncey-le-franc, enamel pins, crushed velvet, fringe trim. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Josi Smit, resident of uncey-le-franc, enamel pins, crushed velvet, fringe trim. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Josi Smit, resident of uncey-le-franc, enamel pins, crushed velvet, fringe trim. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Andrew Harding, Safe Travels 01, vacuum seal bag, dye sublimation print on fabric, disposable camera photo, magnet, t-shirt, clay. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Andrew Harding, Safe Travels 02, cedar, plywood, acrylic, photographs, padlocks, key, chain, magnifying sheet, large ziplock bag, glass, water, car air freshener. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Andrew Harding, Safe Travels 02, cedar, plywood, acrylic, photographs, padlocks, key, chain, magnifying sheet, large ziplock bag, glass, water, car air freshener. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Andrew Harding, Safe Travels 02, cedar, plywood, acrylic, photographs, padlocks, key, chain, magnifying sheet, large ziplock bag, glass, water, car air freshener. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Andrew Harding, Safe Travels 02, cedar, plywood, acrylic, photographs, padlocks, key, chain, magnifying sheet, large ziplock bag, glass, water, car air freshener. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
The Bald Eagle’s Claw, 2019. Installation view, works by Brandon Fujimagari, Yan Wen Chang Andrew Harding, Madelyne Beckles, Dorica Manuel and Marissa Sean Cruz in view. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Yan Wen Chang. malaysian moon moth 1 and 2, gouache on bleached raw Japanese denim, stretched. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Yan Wen Chang. malaysian moon moth 1, gouache on bleached raw Japanese denim, stretched. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Yan Wen Chang. malaysian moon moth 2, gouache on bleached raw Japanese denim, stretched. 2019. Photo credit: Polina Teif
Yan Wen Chang. do you remember, mixed media on canvas. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Yan Wen Chang. do you remember, mixed media on canvas. 2019. Right, Madelyne Beckles, One Light. Performence. Photo credit: Sameen Mahboubi.
One Light. Performence. Photo credit: Sameen Mahboubi.
Marissa Sean Cruz, SO Flesh, SO Clean. Performence. Photo credit: Sameen Mahboubi.
Marissa Sean Cruz, SO Flesh, SO Clean. Performence. Photo credit: Sameen Mahboubi.
Marissa Sean Cruz, SO Flesh, SO Clean. Performence. Photo credit: Sameen Mahboubi.
Dorica Manuel, A Recipe for Flies. Performence. Photo credit: Sameen Mahboubi.
Dorica Manuel, A Recipe for Flies. Performence. Photo credit: Sameen Mahboubi.
Madelyne Beckles, Dorica Manuel and Marissa Sean Cruz. Performance Remnants, found objects. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Madelyne Beckles, Dorica Manuel and Marissa Sean Cruz. Performance Remnants, found objects. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Madelyne Beckles, Dorica Manuel and Marissa Sean Cruz. Performance Remnants, found objects. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Madelyne Beckles, Dorica Manuel and Marissa Sean Cruz. Performance Remnants, found objects. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Madelyne Beckles, Dorica Manuel and Marissa Sean Cruz. Performance Remnants, found objects. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
Madelyne Beckles, Dorica Manuel and Marissa Sean Cruz. Performance Remnants, found objects. 2019. Photo credit: Philip Leonard Ocampo
