Portraits of Political Barrier Breakers

The 2020 election and 2021 federal appointments brought a fresh wave of politicians and appointees to local, state, and federal governments. Many of these legislators and appointees are the first in their cohort to be elected or appointed to political office. They represent people from various races, genders, sexual orientations, nationalities, religions, and social statuses. These assemblages showcase the stories of some of these political firsts through portraits made of non-recyclable trash assemblages. It highlights how individuals from different backgrounds have made great strides in a traditionally white male-dominated sphere of elected and appointed officials. Among these trailblazers is Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as lesser-known figures like Christopher Kalcich, the first transman elected to the city council of Selinsgrove, PA. Using trash as the medium, I transform what we discard into something extraordinary. I use fragments of garbage in their original colors and textures, creating realistic images. This practice of using trash reflects the unfortunate history of the degradation of many communities in the past and how these communities were, and still are, often marginalized. These portraits celebrate the courage of these individuals who use their voices and bodies to influence our government and represent their constituents. They also serve as a reminder of the progress made and the need to continue striving toward a representation that reflects the diverse complexion of the USA. In the words of Valarie Kaur, these artworks “reimagine the institutions of power that have long ordered the world.