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Gyrations of American Gothic

by Norman Parish

"Gyrations of American Gothic" was painted in the summer of 1970. The painting depicts the Black Man and his different conditioning in the society in which he lives.

The Gang Youth and Black Power Youth, the Young Soldier supporting the Statue of Liberty, the Boy Cop the Pimp, the Prisoner, the Veteran of Foreign War, the Old Man of Time and the Mother comforting the screaming baby all are attempting to point out a common frustration of disorder.

The male in the lower left hand corner of the painting flanked by the female scream of anguish in the upper center area intensify this outward frustration. Gyrating about, the white family wrapped securely by the flag is intended to point at the innocence and complacency they have for their lives in the name of America.

In conclusion, the Black Male and Female standing at the right calmly express the only answer to their situation; inward peace.

NORMAN PARRISH, graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has been a participant in such major shows as the 67th Union League Art Show, Black Esthetics, McCormick Place's Negro Centennial and WLS-TV's program "For Blacks Only."

Exhibits have included Sears' Vincent Price Gallery, South Side Art Center, Coco-Cola Traveling Black Treasure Van, Black Expo, Afram Gallery and numerous local art fairs.

A series of one-man shows out Chicago, such as Detroit, Michigan, sponsored by Congressman JOHN CONYERS, JR., The Art Committee of The House of Beauty and Carmen Cosmetics; Philadelphia, Pa., Heritage House, Atlanta, Ga., Hyatt Regency House and St. Louis, Mo. Chase Park Plaza Hotel.

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