The Division Grows
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-2022-047 | June 2022 | Oil on Canvas | 34" x 26"
By June 2022, political and cultural fault lines in the United States are widening as inflation surges, trust in institutions decline, and the midterm elections draw closer. Debates over gun policy, immigration, crime, education, and the role of government sharpen across the country.
The Division Grows in the America in Free Fall 2022 series captures a period when disagreement increasingly hardened into open hostility.
This painting suggests a nation struggling to find common ground while facing mounting pressures at home and abroad. Rather than focusing on one controversy, the painting reflects the cumulative effect of many unresolved disputes. Competing visions of freedom, security, and national identity crowd the canvas.
The Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade and the Left is out of control. Biden calls it "A sad day for the Court and the Country." But this decision just gave the abortion issue back to each State. You can still get an abortion. Radical groups like Jane's Revenge start protesting and burning down pro Life facilities. Nancy Pelosi calls the ruling "cruel and heart wrenching." The Left seems to be more for Infanticide than saving babies lives. Brett Kavanaugh endured an Assassination attempt at his home over the ruling. Justice Alito wrote the decision and now the left is attacking Justice's at their homes. Clarence Thomas is being attacked for suggesting we look at other cases including "Right to Privacy" and "Gay Marriage." Maxine Waters says "To Hell with the Court. We will Defy them." Heads are exploding making this an issue for the Midterms in November. The Left blames these SCOTUS decisions as a result of Trump's picks for Justices. Kamala is the "New Czar of Disinformation" adding to her list of Czarina duties. She is now the "Abortion Czar" and the "Border Czar". How many Czars can you be and do nothing? Biden takes a bike ride at the beach in Delaware on vacation and falls over yet again in front of reporters and bystanders! Trump wishes him well and tells supporters "I make this pledge to you today... I will never ride a bike!"
Seen now, The Division Grows stands as a record of June 2022, when polarization itself had become one of America’s defining conditions.
