Conservative America

June 01, 2018  •  2 Comments

Collin Masteller I made this digital composite this morning from a photo shoot I did with Collin Mastheller who is a dear friend and colleague who works in video production.  Collin is a a hard worker who keeps his opinions to himself at work but dresses in a very provocative manner on an almost daily basis.  I actually don't know his political viewpoints because he doesn't participate in debate or argument about such things and yet he dresses on a daily basis in a manner that most would label as a "conservative red neck."  I know Collin to be a funny and loving family man and a calm person under pressure when working on a project with me.  Everyone loves Collin because of his extremely laid back mannerism.  It's just his clothing that is loud!

I asked him if I could make a photograph of him for an illustration about the stereotypes of conservative America and Trump supporters and he agreed.  On the afternoon of the photoshoot we had a good laugh over the fact that four people had asked him if he was wearing a costume or if this was his actual clothing.  It wasn't a costume.  I saw him wearing the same outfit at his work just yesterday!

For me this image is not only a reflection of our times in American Politics, but because I know this person, it is a reminder that these are our friends and neighbors as well.  Politics has become so polarized that it is easy to choose sides and stop speaking to one another.  I think my efforts to make this image is related to my efforts to explore ways in which we can start a conversation.

 


Comments

Collin Masteller(non-registered)
Thanks Ira! Always a pleasure working with you and amazing work as always!
Andrea Guenther(non-registered)
Excellent observation that what we see is not always what we get.
No comments posted.
Loading...

Archive
January February March April May June July (3) August (4) September (1) October November December
January February March (3) April (2) May June July August September October November December
January February (3) March (2) April (3) May (5) June (5) July August September October (3) November December (1)
January (1) February (4) March (1) April May June July August (1) September October November December
January February March April (2) May (8) June (5) July August September (5) October (4) November (1) December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December