By: Jos Sances

Medium: Screenprint
Year: 2008
Image Size: 20.5 × 16.5 inches
Edition size unknown
Unsigned

A satiric look at American Democracy from the standpoint of those who have paid a heavy price for it. The print by Jos Sances titled "American Democracy" presents a stark and provocative commentary on the often violent and exclusionary nature of American democratic ideals. Divided into six panels, the artwork depicts figures representing various marginalized communities, each confronted with the threat of violence, symbolized by the guns pointed at them. This imagery powerfully critiques the hypocrisy inherent in a democracy that professes freedom while simultaneously perpetuating oppression. The inclusion of a globe in the final panel, with a hand holding a gun, suggests that this systemic violence extends beyond national borders, implicating the global consequences of American policies. Sances’ work challenges viewers to confront the complexities of democracy in the U.S., urging a reevaluation of what true equality and justice mean in a society marked by historical and ongoing struggles.