Ryan Walters — theBASEMENT

the BASEMENT

Publication #6

Untitled (And in distress)

Ryan Walters

Acrylic and collage on found fabric

This collage started with a piece of thrifted Americana fabric printed with symbols like the Liberty Bell, American flags, and Revolutionary War figures. I used it as a base to explore contemporary American identity, layering a painted image of the 47th president, Donald Trump, over headlines about billionaires, the war in Ukraine, trans rights, inflation, and military nationalism. I worried less about the final product and used this piece as a way to experiment.

This piece fits the theme by holding space for the constant emotional weight of living in a time of political chaos. It channels collective grief, anger, and confusion into something physical, refusing to smooth over the discomfort. For me, resistance means not turning away—even when it’s overwhelming—and using art to sit with the mess rather than escape it. This work pushes back against silence, apathy, and the normalization of violence. It’s my way of asking others to feel the weight with me, and maybe start imagining something different.

@ryurbart