Literary Figures and Characters
George Bernard Shaw Magnificent creator of drama and comedy, he is shown here being entertained by his own creations from Pygmalion.
The Highway Man by Alfred Lord Noyes - This dramatic poem was introduced to me by the music of Phil Ochs. He put a haunting tune to every other line of the poem telling the tale of star crossed lovers.
Captain Ahab - Driven insane by his anger toward a huge ocean beast that had taken his leg on a prior voyage, Ahab stands screaming at the sky, his fist clenched in rage. St. Elmo's Fire touches the rigging and the harpoon he is holding. Haunting images in the background lend a deadly cast to the scene.
Joan d'Arc - I utilized the form of Carole Baekey, a lawyer with whom I worked to bring relief to South Africa after centuries of exploitation by the West. Her undaunted courage and dedication to her quest line up well with the passions of her French predecessor.
Hamlet - The melancholy Dane is pictured here with a woman; she is based upon a photo of the woman patron who commissioned this work. Edwin Booth, preeminent actor of his times, played Hamlet frequently and I used his likeness for that character. The actor, brother of Lincoln's Assassin, bravely accepted the opprobrium of audiences after that foul deed. Attainder, criminal responsibility for the actions of one's family members is outlawed by the US Constitution.
The Ghost of Tom Joad - The title and image are suggested by Bruce Springsteen in his song of the same name. Here I portray Henry Fonda next to a burn barrel, an image well known from the Dust Bowl period and continuing today among the poor who are exploited and hated by those who look down upon them. Respect and equal opportunity for all is our civic responsibility.