Donna Pattee-Ballard

Artist Statement

I believe art has a job to do. It shouldn’t just sit quietly on a wall; it should make us look at our world a little differently. My work doesn’t offer easy answers or tell you how to march in the streets. Instead, it’s a quiet, critical look at how power is used, how authority is built, and how easily we can be influenced.

Connecting the Past to the Present
Several pieces in this collection are inspired by propaganda from World War I and World War II. I wanted to use these historical references to show that the tricks governments use to shape what we think aren't new. This history acts as a mirror for our recent past, specifically looking at how the Trump administration used intense rhetoric and authority to sway public opinion and consolidate power.

Meaning in the Trash
The materials I use are just as important as the images I create. I build these pieces using recyclable plastics fused onto common trash bags.

A Symbol of Neglect: This choice is a direct, physical reaction to the stripping away of environmental protections. Using literally "discarded" materials reflects a political system that treats both our planet and marginalized communities as disposable.

The Fragility of Power: At the same time, plastic is cheap, flimsy, and temporary. It’s a reminder that while political power feels massive and permanent, it is actually incredibly fragile and subject to change.

What I Hope to Leave You With
By bringing heavy topics like immigration, democracy, gun violence, and war into the gallery—built out of the very things we throw away—I want to start a real conversation. I hope this work pushes us to question the structures that govern our daily lives and reminds us of our responsibility to one another.