gallery > 2012 BFA Senior Thesis: Out of Many, Down to one

Teddy
Teddy
TC-1 woven cotton
27" x 48"
2011

Theodore Roosevelt was noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity. Before becoming the youngest president in office, Roosevelt left politics and went to the frontier, becoming a rancher in the "Badlands". As an outdoorsman and naturalist, he promoted the conservation movement and created the National Parks. Roosevelt's policies were characterized by his slogan, "Speak softly and carry a big stick".
The term TEDDY BEAR came from a bear hunt that Roosevelt went on, there wasn’t a bear in sight, in fear of a failed hunt, Roosevelt’s guide found an old bear, that was attacked by hunting dogs and then tied to a tree for Roosevelt to shoot. Roosevelt could not do it. He felt bad for the bear and saw that it was in pain, so they shot it anyway to “put it out of its misery.” Roosevelt displays how man has controlled and owned nature.
It has been rumored that Roosevelt had a tattoo of his family crest on his chest, adornment he clearly wore with pride of his elite family.
In this work i’m exposing the human side of the presidents by revealing narratives and the unspoken stories that were previously covered up.