MENDING THE NATION 

Jon McNaughton's painting, "Mending the Nation", is made with oil on canvas, a classic medium with a rich history. While oil painting might seem far removed from labor and class, consider the layers of process involved. The canvas itself, likely mass-produced, speaks to industrialization. The paint, though applied by hand, is also a manufactured product, its pigments sourced globally and processed in factories. The artist’s labor, represented by brushstrokes, is only the final stage in a long chain of production and consumption. McNaughton’s meticulous technique is used to deliver a very specific message. The depicted act of mending the flag, a powerful symbol of national identity, is rendered with photographic precision and a theatrical light. The artist invites the viewer to participate in the depicted scene of national repair and healing. Ultimately, "Mending the Nation" reminds us that even seemingly traditional art forms are deeply enmeshed in broader social and economic contexts. The painting’s materials and mode of production are an essential part of its meaning.