Uncle Sham No. 2 

Danny Galieote’s painting “Uncle Sham No. 2” presents us with a menacing twist on a familiar patriotic figure. Here, Uncle Sam isn't recruiting for the army, but pointing a gun directly at the viewer. The mask obscures his eyes, turning the symbol of American pride into an anonymous threat. Money peeks out of his pocket. This inversion suggests a critique of American ideals, particularly the pursuit of wealth at any cost. Galieote asks us to consider the darker aspects of national identity and questions the narratives of American exceptionalism. He challenges traditional representations by subverting an iconic figure, forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, greed, and the potential for corruption within systems we are taught to trust. It evokes feelings of betrayal, prompting reflection on who truly benefits from the American dream.