"Comedic Mockery"
This powerful mixed-media collage confronts the psychological and cultural aftermath of the “battle royal” era, centering indigenous Americans navigating exploitation, performance, and resistance. Layered with archival imagery of fighters and performers such as Jack Johnson, Joe Gans, and James Brown, the composition merges sport, spectacle, and entertainment into a unified narrative of struggle and survival.
At its core, the piece reflects the mental toll of being placed within systems designed for control and observation. The chaotic arrangement of figures, text, and historical references mirrors fragmentation of identity, while the central imagery evokes both confrontation and awareness. Bold red, black, and green tones intensify the emotional weight, suggesting conflict, resilience, and cultural grounding.
Through repetition and layered storytelling, the work explores how these individuals fought not only physical battles, but psychological ones—challenging imposed narratives while reclaiming agency. It becomes a visual meditation on endurance, memory, and the ongoing process of overcoming the mental effects of historical exploitation.
At its core, the piece reflects the mental toll of being placed within systems designed for control and observation. The chaotic arrangement of figures, text, and historical references mirrors fragmentation of identity, while the central imagery evokes both confrontation and awareness. Bold red, black, and green tones intensify the emotional weight, suggesting conflict, resilience, and cultural grounding.
Through repetition and layered storytelling, the work explores how these individuals fought not only physical battles, but psychological ones—challenging imposed narratives while reclaiming agency. It becomes a visual meditation on endurance, memory, and the ongoing process of overcoming the mental effects of historical exploitation.