2016

Sixteen page concertina on Arches cover black, 6.5” x 6.5” closed, 6.5” x 104” open. Mixed media, painting and collage in box 6.75” x 6.75” x 2”. The text in the box reads: Two hundred years ago, with a world population of one billion, the vast majority lived in colonies, under the political control of an- other country, or in autocratic regimes where a single person, the autocrat, possessed absolute power. Less than 1% lived in a de- mocracy where citizens exercised power by voting for their leaders in elections. Today more than half the world’s population live in democracies, while a quarter live under autocratic rule. Between Autocracy and Democracy is Anocracy. It may be Closed where competitors are drawn from the company’s elite or Open where others may also compete. Today, Democracy is in crisis. The values it embodies—particularly the right to choose leaders in free and fair elections, freedom of the press, and the rule of law—are under assault and in retreat glob- ally. The challenges within democratic states have fueled the rise of leaders who appeal to anti-immigrant sentiment and undermine fundamental civil and political liberties. If not checked, this move toward Anocracy will include the replace- ment of global democratic norms with authoritarian practices and elections in which the incumbent’s victory is assured. The media landscape will be dominated by propagandists who marginalize the opposition and promote the regime’s message. There will be state control over the internet and social media and corruption, injustice, and impunity for abuses. In this country, by ensuring that every citizen has the right to be heard and elections are open and fair, we can work to retain our Democracy. As individuals, our vote is our voice.