Deanne McKeown
Ship of State II (10/35)
Bronze
23 x 12 x 13 in
$4,200
"Ship of State" is a famous and oft-cited metaphor put forth by Plato in Book VI of Plato's Republic. It likens the governance of democracy to the command of a naval vessel. However, according to Plato, the leadership of such a government should only be undertaken by the enlightened and benevolent.
Unfortunately, history is often writ by leaders who have engaged in a reign of terror or have meandered aimlessly into a reign of error.
In lieu of a cartoonist's skill, this piece is my contribution to a bit of whimsical political satire. Our ship of state is crewed by birds of a various feather, none of whom seem to be addressing one another directly. Sleeping at the oar appears to go un-noted and is perhaps even permissible. Although copious amounts of "hot air" are generally available, there is hardly enough to stimulate the motionless propeller to force movement forward...or even backward. There is obviously no visionary coxswain to guide the ship to a pre-established destination or to keep all aboard rowing in the same direction.
Reigning ravens may keep the ship afloat, but haven't a clue as to where they're going or what they might do if they actually arrive in that far-off land called the future.
Deanne, a renowned Sedona, Arizona artist, has created this whimsical political satire which just as well could have been named, “Ship of Fools,” for its take on the present state of political affairs in America, as well as numerous other countries. This ship represents a cartoonist’s version of chaos, having no visionary coxswain leader to guide the ship to a pre-established destination, or to keep all aboard rowing in the same direction. Per the sculptor, “Reigning ravens may keep the ship afloat, but haven’t a clue as to where they are going or what they might do if they actually arrive in that far-off land called the future?!” This results in a motionless propeller (although, it does rotate) due to the oblivious & directionless crew. The ravens are looking in all different directions since they have no leader to direct them to stay on course!
Unfortunately, history is often writ by leaders who have engaged in a reign of terror or have meandered aimlessly into a reign of error.
In lieu of a cartoonist's skill, this piece is my contribution to a bit of whimsical political satire. Our ship of state is crewed by birds of a various feather, none of whom seem to be addressing one another directly. Sleeping at the oar appears to go un-noted and is perhaps even permissible. Although copious amounts of "hot air" are generally available, there is hardly enough to stimulate the motionless propeller to force movement forward...or even backward. There is obviously no visionary coxswain to guide the ship to a pre-established destination or to keep all aboard rowing in the same direction.
Reigning ravens may keep the ship afloat, but haven't a clue as to where they're going or what they might do if they actually arrive in that far-off land called the future.
Deanne, a renowned Sedona, Arizona artist, has created this whimsical political satire which just as well could have been named, “Ship of Fools,” for its take on the present state of political affairs in America, as well as numerous other countries. This ship represents a cartoonist’s version of chaos, having no visionary coxswain leader to guide the ship to a pre-established destination, or to keep all aboard rowing in the same direction. Per the sculptor, “Reigning ravens may keep the ship afloat, but haven’t a clue as to where they are going or what they might do if they actually arrive in that far-off land called the future?!” This results in a motionless propeller (although, it does rotate) due to the oblivious & directionless crew. The ravens are looking in all different directions since they have no leader to direct them to stay on course!
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