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Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
This work draws directly from the directory of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, a structure that organizes authority, names, and hierarchy within the legal system. Recreated through engraving and gilding, the piece mirrors the visual language of institutional power while shifting its context and meaning.
The bald eagle, a symbol of American identity and dominance, sits prominently above the frame. Yet the ornate detailing and gold surface point beyond a singular origin, referencing traditions of gilding and craftsmanship that extend across cultures and histories. What appears distinctly American is, in part, constructed from borrowed forms.
By isolating and reconstructing this object, the work questions how authority is framed, preserved, and presented. The directory, typically filled with names and positions, is rendered empty, inviting reflection on who is included, who is omitted, and how systems assign visibility and value.
Through this act of translation, the piece holds a tension between reverence and critique. It reflects on the aesthetics of power while quietly destabilizing it, revealing that even the most fixed structures are built, layered, and open to reinterpretation.
Ink on engraved wood plate
60 x 45 cm | 23.62 x 17.72 in
Delivery details will be sent privately to each buyer.
Taxes, shipping and handling is not included.
This work draws directly from the directory of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, a structure that organizes authority, names, and hierarchy within the legal system. Recreated through engraving and gilding, the piece mirrors the visual language of institutional power while shifting its context and meaning.
The bald eagle, a symbol of American identity and dominance, sits prominently above the frame. Yet the ornate detailing and gold surface point beyond a singular origin, referencing traditions of gilding and craftsmanship that extend across cultures and histories. What appears distinctly American is, in part, constructed from borrowed forms.
By isolating and reconstructing this object, the work questions how authority is framed, preserved, and presented. The directory, typically filled with names and positions, is rendered empty, inviting reflection on who is included, who is omitted, and how systems assign visibility and value.
Through this act of translation, the piece holds a tension between reverence and critique. It reflects on the aesthetics of power while quietly destabilizing it, revealing that even the most fixed structures are built, layered, and open to reinterpretation.
Ink on engraved wood plate
60 x 45 cm | 23.62 x 17.72 in
Delivery details will be sent privately to each buyer.
Taxes, shipping and handling is not included.