Ignore Deflect Deny Repeat
Every painting in Chronicle of an Unquiet Age documents the defining events, people, and issues that shaped its moment in history. Created in real time as events unfolded, each work serves as both an original oil painting and a historical record, reflecting the belief that the news of today is the history of tomorrow.
TRTA-2022-049 | July 2022 | Oil on Canvas | 34" x 26"
By July 2022, President Joe Biden is facing mounting pressure as inflation remains near forty-year highs, gasoline prices had recently reached record levels, and recession fears spread after two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth are widely debated. At the same time, Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Justice Department are under scrutiny over investigations tied to Donald Trump, while border security and crime remain major political issues. Ignore Deflect Deny Repeat reflects a month when critics argued that serious national problems are being minimized or redirected.
Headlines tied to inflation, Federal Reserve rate hikes, high food costs, immigration policy, the January 6 hearings, and public distrust suggest a country overwhelmed by crisis yet divided over responsibility. Supporters point to falling gas prices and job growth, while opponents emphasized declining confidence and economic pain.
This title Ignore Deflect Deny Repeat refers to a familiar accusation in modern politics: avoid direct accountability, change the subject, and move public attention elsewhere. The painting captures how both parties increasingly framed opponents through that lens. On July 8, 2022 Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan was asassinated by a lone gunman using a crude homemade gun and shocks the mostly gun free Japan. Abe was advocating for defending Taiwan from potential Chinese invasion. Biden continues to turn a blind eye by ignoring, denying and deflecting his responsibilites to the many crises his policies are creating. Biden travels to Saudia Arabia to meet with Crown Prince MBS. Biden had previously called MBS a "Pariah" so this did not go well. Biden was seen fist bumping the Prince which made International news. MBS informed Biden they would not pump more oil. 4CHAN hacks Hunter's phone and reveals a voicemail to Hunter from his Dad about "the deal with Chinese spy Chief." He ends the call with a comment "I think you're clear." So he doesn't know anything about Hunter's business dealings or doe he? Biden sends 5 Million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Oil Reserves to Hunter's Chinese Company. What is going on? In other news, Boris Johnson is forced to resign as UK Prime Minister, Steve Bannon is found guilty of Contempt of Congress. Elon Musk terminates his deal to buy Twitter exposing Twitter Bots as real, over breach of Provisions in the initial offering. Ignore Deflect Deny Repeat records July 2022 when economic anxiety and political distrust dominated the American news cycle.
