Washington as Usual, 2017

8"H x 12"W x 12"D, Ceramic and Metal

In the tradition of three-dimensional Trompe L’oeil (trick the eye), I created the illusion of chocolate cake.

While the cake plate plays with the ideas of elegance and delicacy, snails creep around the cake layers to warn of perversion, gluttony, corruption, blind ambition, and addiction to the power of slimy and slow Washington DC politics.

A beautifully glazed dessert is held in check; sugar is as addictive as power and sugar-coated words of patriotism.

Although this piece was completed five years ago, today, distrust in Washington DC politics and institutions creates an unwillingness to vaccinate, mask, and social distance, which could end the tyranny of COVID.

The sad war on COVID continues.

Once again, my fears are being realized, more than I ever imagined at the time.