Mor York Gallery

Artist statement:

"This work explores how architecture imposes power and hierarchy and how ideologies exist in invisible barriers.

Much of this work responds to the conflict in Iraq and Afganistan, and the ongoing destruction and reconstruction the U.S. is engaged in there. Insurgent warfare requires the paradoxical procedure of destroying and rebuilding amongst civilian populated cities. In my work, I question the use of American military force to reconstruct this region. I am specifically critical of the use of private contractors, engaged on all fronts of the war including fighting, intelligence, and rebuilding, which enables war profiteering. This entanglement of government and the private sector perpetuates the cloud of war and unaccountability in military operations.

Drawing on my past experience as a carpenter/ subcontractor, I use raw building materials, such as concrete, plywood and drywall, to respond to the paradox of insurgent warfare: defending and destroying, destruction and reconstruction."

Janson Manley