Statement of THE PEOPLE COME FIRST series (2022)

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"For me, people come first," said Alice Neel. And I subscribe her words as a fire to be passed on. I focus on the dignity and eternal importance of the human being. The tool to do so is radical humanism. Portraits of victims of substance abuse, sexual workers, mentally disturbed and rehab attendants show my political and philosophical ideals. These paintings of barely unknown sitters highlight the emotions of those who we refuse to look at,  those who confront us with ouselves. Under the paintings underlays a commitment to progressive politics, civil rights, feminism, and racial diversity.