Respect Me
Kelly Parks Snider 2006
Mixed media
Panel measurements: 28"x 28"

Today's culture is corporate owned and controlled. We are surrounded and dominated by massive influences which use the media to control our thoughts and exploit us for money. It is increasingly difficult to know what is real and what is true. A healthy democracy depends on informed citizens. Our youth must be considered in this truth.

It is unthinkable that the manipulative and destructive attacks on our youth are created by corporate boards composed largely of members who are themselves parents or grandparents of young children. Yet, this is a daily occurrence. Our violent imaginations, our passivity, society's selfishness, our negative attitudes, as well as many of our public health and environmental problems are linked directly to endless roads of corporate greed. I sense an urgency unlike that we have ever known before. What is society's responsibility to its children?

As an artist, it is my job to connect the dots for my viewers. I must always make strong and clear statements with my art. The art should focus its viewers to ask questions about themselves and others, but mostly about ownership….mostly self reflection. We must always come back to self.

Examine your own observations. Ask questions... Do I really make the decisions that control my life?
We must look forward with confidence. We don't need official credentials to do good and mighty deeds in this world. We just need to believe, stand together and remain committed. More art at www.kellyparkssnider.com.