I wanted my own Clifford, so I got one, oil on canvas. 24 x 36.
@usb_cord | usb-cord | The American dream can be described as many things, some of those things being nonexistent or unobtainable. But to some of us, especially small black children, their American dream is simply having their own big, doggy best friend. Those children, big breed and bully breed dogs all share one thing: which is being feared by the general public. Of course, a huge misconception. They’re just babies who love to love and be loved. Perhaps, unconditional love is but a dream too.
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This piece is about the idea of the American dream and its supposedly being obtainable to anyone, despite ethnicity, which we know to be false. It is also about the allure of every ‘typical’ American family owning a dog, and how young black and brown children are seen similarly to dogs: bred to be inherently violent- which bars them from any form of an “American dream” to begin with. Black and brown children idolize big dogs as there are so many famous dogs in the media we can point to. To them, their American dream is simply having their own special Clifford, that is their true happiness: a friend to relate to.
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Exhibition Artists | Giovanna Aguirre-Peresson • Noa Alemán • Lex Applewhite • Danielle Arend • Bria Bridges • Luis Carrasco • Katie Cercone • San Chen • Juana Duran Charicata • Jason Guzman • Insidious Studios • Akira Iyashikei • Tai Kojro-Badziak • Kevin C. Lawler • Sara Laureano • Sunshine Lombre • Catherine (Yiwen) Lyu • Lisa Mannion • Victor Manuel Manzo Meneses • Dani Massey • Cara Mastanduno • Toni Maugeri • Mark Nelson • Earica Parrish • Gabriel Patti • Luna Rail • Maria Requenia • Amiya Ross • Evelyn Rubi Hernandez • Kaltra Seferi • Zelda Jane Thorn • Hope Wood • Araceli Zuniga