Political Art

I never wanted to have to make political art, but I decided to become an artist, and surprise surprise, here we are. To me, being an artist is all about sharing my perspective with the outside world, letting others see through my eyes. Today, there are startling differences in the way individuals see things in America. Where one may see great progress and triumph for the entire country, another may see abject failure leading to a dire future. I like to think myself an optimist, but recently I’ve seen myself falling into the latter camp more often than I want to.

Here I express what I see.

Here I speak.

Many may disagree with me, but my only task as an artist is to speak my truth.

Regretfully,

Ikaika the Artist

A True Patriot

The American flag represents the gagging of the American people by false patriotism, ‘We the People’ the only remembered words of the once great constitution that the country was founded on, now broken and charred.
The ‘TRUMP 2028’ hat represents the unconstitutional future the president has envisioned for us, forced onto our heads. We only bloody ourselves trying to remove it as those we have elected to represent us ineffectually protest on the evening news.
The base is made from some crap I found at hobby lobby and spray painted gold, just like the decorations that now adorn the Oval Office. A once proud country brought low in the name of profits, ratings, and internet ‘likes’.
I received the ‘ITS GREAT TO BE AN AMERICAN’ sticker placed on the back of the sculpture with the 200 flags I purchased to put up along my city’s beach for Memorial Day in 2020 to honor the veterans during the COVID pandemic. Half buried in blood, it now represents the many forgotten service members who will suffer and die because of the budget cuts to the VA made by an unelected civilian in the name of ‘governmental efficiency’.
The country is being hollowed out in many ways.
Though it costs $5,000,000 now, citizenship has been cheapened, all merit removed from the immigration process and replaced by a wealth check. You can have all the justice and freedom you can afford in America, regardless of merit, or strength of character.
The great national parks are running with a skeleton crew on a shoestring budget, and public land is in danger of being put up for auction. The once great country being liquidated for a quick buck.
Where heads of state once sat during inaugurations, the billionaires who control everything you see and hear now sit in seats purchased with your information and smirk.

Yes, to be a true patriot today, you must only obey, never question.
Gag yourself with the flag.
Do not tear the proof of an imminent insurrection from your head.
Do not look back at the veterans who sacrificed life and limb for the liberties now taken from you.
OBEY.
OBEY.
OBEY.

Don’t look up
from your phone.
God save the king.