Artist Statement: The Goddess of America rises up from the dark, stormy, confusing skies swirling about the shining cities of our country. She is the Anno Domini - Lady of Abundance. She reminds us that all the bounty of this country is here for all members of our society. That we are a shining beacon to the world of a fertile, prosperous, and giving country. She points at the symbols of her gifts to us, the beehive symbolizing the sweetness of life, the blossoms symbolizing the natural beauty surrounding us, the wheat bundles symbolizing the capacity to feed ourselves and others, the coins symbolizing our wealth. The red background with gold stars represents the blood of the innocent victims of this horrifying attack. She sternly and seriously asks us to consider how we use these gifts she has given us. Are we using these gifts wisely to move for peace and justice throughout the world? Or are we oblivious to the effects we have when we take these gifts for granted and make others jealous of our prosperity and freedom? And finally she asks us as a people to try to work through the stages of anger, hostility, fear, and despair to come to the point of compassion for the attackers. Not forgiveness, but compassion for these men that they had nothing else but their hatred of our country to sustain and motivate them. |