Incorporating objects of real life into this portrait of President Barack Obama, giving nod to his life in public service and politics, making this a unique and interactive mixed media portrait experience.
Featured on the cover of The Washington Post OUTLOOK section.
See Washington Post “behind the portrait” gallery HERE.
Many thanks to Elizabeth Hart and her colleagues for this cover assignment.
Digital and Gicleé Prints are available for pre-order HERE.
Original work is available for purchase. For inquiries contact: info@waynebrezinka.com
A multiple of cut-and-pasted printed paper, collage, and mixed media on three separate adjacent wood panels, 2020. Panel One; Center: 121.92 cm (48 in) × 91.44 cm (36 in) × 3.81 cm (1.5 in) Panel Two; Right: 76.2 cm (30 in) × 60.96 cm (24 in) × 3.81 cm (1.5 in) Panel Three; Left: 60.96 cm (24 in) × 30.48 cm (12 in) × 3.81 cm (1.5 in)
The surface is irregular, covered with newspaper clippings of Washington Post stories, provided photos, campaign posters and buttons, cloth, cardboard, shards of a basketball and more. Most significant, an 1860's Civil War photo of President Abraham Lincoln w Son Thad (Obama's inaugural theme, "A New Birth of Freedom," was inspired by Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Obama was the first president to use the Lincoln Bible for his inauguration since Lincoln used it in 1861) Also included: A 2016 President and Mrs. Obama official White House invitation program welcoming His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, An official 2009 Presidential Inaugural Medal with certificate of authenticity, A vintage Hyde Park Kenwood Chicago 100 Year Centennial coin charm bracelet, Inaugural Washington, D.C. one-day metro fare cards featuring image of Barack Obama, A 2009 Barack Obama Souvenir Inaugural Ribbon.
While the image is one complete rendering with three separate panels hanging side by side, it’s also a provocative juxtaposition that raises a question about the relationship between America and it’s progression forward. Barack Obama’s hand is pointing off of the center panel continuing onto the next adjacent surface to the right joining the different parts symbolizing forward-thinking, change, hope and future. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama