Trophy Soldiers

TrophySoldiers.com is a web project made in 2007 that became a reaction to my own personal desensitization to the imagery from the war in Iraq. I feel that I and the majority of Americans have become numb to the war. I believe this country is currently more interested in who won American Idol or the game than staying educated on current events, and casualty reports from the war. I hope that some viewers will realize that their own perceptions of the war should be questioned.

The reason for the use of deer trophies for the heads of the soldiers was in reaction to seeing the deer being used in abundance in recent art and design trends. When asking several artists and designers why they decided to use the deer imagery there seemed to be no apparent reason. Using it associated with fallen soldiers is indeed powerful imagery and an attempt at starting a dialogue about why we are collectively using imagery in our culture without knowing why.

Why is it easier to look at a deer than to look at the faces of our fallen Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors? The deer is used in an effort to provoke a serious dialogue about who these people were and what legacy they leave behind.

I believe that we as a people must wake up and really look at the portraits of our neighbors, loved ones, and friends who have lost their lives in this war. Make an effort to learn who they were and help support their families. In order to learn more about the ones who have lost their lives and read their real obituaries and view their real portraits go to www.legacy.com.

Below are opening photos of the Trophy Soldiers solo show at Joe Bar, Seattle, WA.

trophysoldiers