The next American President 2017

Gretchen Andrews' "The Next American President" deploys the aesthetic of the handmade to intervene in the institutional structures of political power. This assemblage uses textiles, found objects, and craft techniques, all traditionally associated with domesticity, to explore themes of ambition, aspiration, and the construction of identity. Made in the United States, this work challenges the historical dominance of male figures in the political sphere by presenting a vision of leadership that is feminine and complex. The saccharine, almost childlike, imagery contrasts with the bold declaration of the title, creating tension between expectation and reality. The flowers, butterflies, and hearts evoke a sense of nostalgia and innocence, while the assertive title disrupts this reading, suggesting a more subversive intent. By appropriating the visual language of girlhood and femininity, Andrew reclaims agency and challenges prevailing notions of power. To delve deeper into the artist's motivations, one might consider her broader body of work, as well as cultural attitudes towards women in politics. Art becomes meaningful only in the context of power.