Sunset

The third in the four-part Horse Power collage series.

The Horse Power series was a mixed media collage project conceived to experiment with the contrasting images of cowboys, horses and cars curated from vintage 60’s advertisements in men’s magazines. Initially my eye was drawn to the classic ad-depiction of the gruff Marlboro "Man" and the masculine imagery being sold alongside cigarette ads. Not surprisingly flipping over the page you find a large graphic image of a sports car (maybe a mustang). This live-fast, live free, die young male-driven aesthetic struck me as ironic and uniquely American given the truth behind the imagery. All three are undoubtedly hazardous for your health, yet it wasn't until much later that the public became consciously aware of, or cared of, the risks involved. I find parallels in the themes of Western Romanticism, the American Lobbying Machine, and historical depictions of American Male Role Models. The project made me draw awareness to how much my unconscious perception of my masculinity is influenced by American Pop culture, media and advertising. What does it mean to be an American "Man" in the 21st century? What type of "Man" is easier to sell to? How much power do products, and our built environment have over our cultural beliefs surrounding gender roles?

Year of Completion: 2024.

Artwork Technique: Mixed media collage.

Dimensions: 5x7in
Print Dimensions: 5x7in

Position of Signature: On back.

Support (print): None. Shipped with white acid-free cardboard backing.

Support (original): Cardstock

Poem: Horse between your legs. An adventure in your heart. Ride into the sun.

Numbering: 1 / 1

Series Numbering: 4 / 4

Print Numbering: x / 4

All artwork comes with a unique certificate of authenticity.