America Tortures Revisited

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence today released its report on the C.I.A. detention and interrogation program conducted during the Bush-Cheney regime. It confirms the open secret that with clear Bush administration approval America embraced torture. In the New York Times former Vice-President Dick Cheney emphasizes this approval and is irritated that anyone might think that the Bush-era torture practices were some sort of "rogue operation." Unfazed by anything the damning Senate report might reveal Cheney believes his minions should "be decorated, not criticized." The same NYT piece quotes George W. Bush from an interview on CNN contending that his administration's torture-masters should be regarded as "patriots." In his untroubled mind any other conclusion would be "off base."

Our Torture is Better Than Their Torture | John Nava | Jacquard Tapestry | 114 x 77 inches

Andrew Sullivan dissects the pride, immorality and lies of Bush-Cheney on torture here. 

The torture issue was covered in this 2012 publication from Fordham University Press - Speaking About Torture

My own work addressing Bush era policies began in 2005 and can be seen here. This page has a particularly good story about Bush being confronted by teenagers about American torture.

New Acquisitions and Selections from the Permanent Collection at MEAM

C. Standing | 2013 | 60 x 60 inches | Oil on Panel | Coll. MEAM, Barcelona, Spain

An exhibition of selections from the permanent collection and new acquisitions at the Museu Europeu d'Art Modern, Barcelona, Spain, July through August, 2014

Projects for Churches at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

An exhibition of preparatory paintings and weaving trials for commissioned work for churches. The work is displayed in the "art chapel" of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, California.

Test Piece for St. Bede | 2001 | 49 x 67 inches | Jacquard Tapestry

Study for a Baptism | 2001 | 48 x 48 inches | Oil on Canvas

Study for "Wisdom" | 2011 | 18.5 x 29.5 inches | Oil on Canvas

Study for the Pentecost | 2012 | 42 x 42 inches | Oil on Canvas

Starting Here - UCSB Art, Design & Architecture Museum

A group exhibition at the UCSB Art, Design & Architecture Museum.

One Nation Under Surveillance | 2006 | Jacquard Tapestry | 114 x 77 inches

He Lied They Died | 2008 | Oil on Canvas | 48 x 32 inches 

Selected Portraits - VITA Art Center

A group of painted and woven portraits at the VITA Art Center at
425 North Ventura Avenue, Ventura, CA

Teresa | 1992 | 25 x 33 inches | Monotype

Peter in Red Shirt | 2013 | 10 x 8 inches | Oil on Panel

Lizzie with Knit Cap | 2014 | 16 x 16 inches | Oil on Panel

T. Sitting | 2014 | 14 x 11 inches | Oil on Panel

Read an article by John Seed about the Vita show

Firestone Library Reading Room Tapestry Project

A large-scale tapestry commissioned for the Firestone Library Reading Room at Princeton University. The new work replaces an ancient Flemish tapestry that originally decorated the space. The tapestry imagery refers to materials from the library special collections, the university local and the Firestone structure itself.

Firestone Library Reading Room interior with tapestry installed. Spring 2014.

Firestone Library Reading Room tapestry design | 17.3 x 16 feet | 2014

Firestone Library Reading Room tapestry installation - March 17 2014.

Firestone Library Reading Room tapestry installation - March 17 2014.

Our Savior Parish Tapestries

Two large-scale tapestries depicting the four evangelists made for Our Savior Parish Chapel at the USC Caruso Catholic Center. Installed in summer 2013.

Interior Our Savior Catholic Church at USC Caruso Catholic Center

Four Evangelists | 2013 | Two panels - 21 x 9.5 feet each | Jacquard Tapestry

Installing tapestry at Our Savior Catholic Church, Summer 2013

MEAM

C. Standing | 2013 | 60 x 60 inches | Oil on Panel | Coll. MEAM, Barcelona, Spain

Figurativas '13 | MEAM gallery interior | October 2013 | Barcelona, Spain

Figurativas '13 is a semi-annual international competition for figurative painting and sculpture held by the Museu Europeu d'Art Modern in Barcelona, Spain. This year's jurors included Antonio Lopez Garcia, Odd Nerdrum and Jacob Collins. C. Standing was selected for the exhibition and purchased by the museum.

Read an article about MEAM and the exhibition by John Seed