I wanted to paint something that encapsulated the prompt: “Myth of the American Dream.”
Of course I had to feature Lady Liberty, the most iconic symbol of American freedom besides the flag. She is crying a diamond tear, insinuating the disconnection between wealth and happiness. Likewise, her mouth is covered which implies the silence the country has on many pressing issues. Behind her, there is a New York Times article on Covid-19 in the U.S.. Our country’s response is arguably one of the greatest modern failures.
Instead of stars on the flag, there are dollar signs. This is quite obvious, as material success is highly valued in the scheme of the American Dream.
The flag is also inverted, which is meant to symbolize the often backwards rhetoric of American nationalism.
Lastly, I used magazine ad clippings to spell out: “It was just a dream,” implying that the American Dream was never attainable, it was simply just a dream.