Judith Koren-Shanahan
The New Colossus, Inspired by the poem by Emma Lazarus, 1883
Acrylic
Biography
Judith Koren-Shanahan studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. In addition to teaching art from her studios, Atelier 5835 and at the Murray Building and Art Guild, Ms. Koren-Shanahan has worked in department store advertising, sales and promotion at Carson Pirie Scott, served as art director for MultiAd, L.R. Nelson, and Dynamic Graphics. An accomplished artist, she has also assisted Preston Jackson in carving the wax model for bronze doors at Cahokia Mounds Museum.
Artist Statement on "The New Colossus, Inspired by the poem by Emma Lazarus"
The excerpt below is from the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus. It is visible on a plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty.
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
From the artist:
I painted this to express my concerns as I saw a strong movement toward autocracy in our country.
Our democracy is in danger unless we all stand up for human rights, social justice, voting rights, and laws which support our safety and liberty.
The birds are fighting in the sky are symbols of the differences between us. The white bird of peace shows hope.
The State of Liberty wich for generations has been the symbol of a welcoming America is also in danger of destruction. We must work to save our republic.