ONE STATION PLAZA.
PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK
NOVEMBER 16-DECEMBER 29,, 2002
ONE STATION PLAZA.
PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK
NOVEMBER 16-DECEMBER 29,, 2002
Artist Statement
William C. Maxwell
The original collage painting "American Dream" was created In 1969 for
the famous New York City Is "Flag Show" which was. a protest exhibition
against the continuation of war- in Vietnam. In 1967, 1 returned from
eight years of active service In the United States Navy. I left the service
because of my growing f6elings~ against'the Vietnam War. tFW 1969 1 was 6
graduate student at Columbia, University, a member of the Vietnam
Veterans Against the War, and an- artist/activist committed to soclat
change. Now, thirty-three-years later, I find myselfagaln confronted with
the possibility of more war, more death. Asa result of 119/1111 and living
my whole life under the threat and actualization of war, 1. felt a strong
urge to go back into this collage painting with the attention once again to
express my desire for peace and my stand against killing of any kind.
In further developing this 33-year old painting, I added symbols of oil,
money, globalization, and blood, joining these references with the
existing section of the United States flag, the surrounding degradation of
a world at war, and the entrance way into the "American Dream." I also
added text that references my work with the idea of the "Perfect Circle,"
and places the quest for "perfection" Into the context of war and peace. I
dated the piece 1969 to 2003, and retitled it "American Dream: Peace
Piece."
NO MORE WAR!