"But laughter, dear, is subversive

Gouache and acrylic

9" x 12"

2023

The title is a quote from the novel State of War by Ninotchka Rosca. Humor has long been used as a political weapon. It takes courage and discernment to effectively critique people in power as well as ordinary citizens, a practice in democracy that does not resort to violence. It can diffuse tension while simultaneously throwing a punch, stick to people’s memory, and spread like wildfire. As George Orwell once said, “Every joke is a tiny revolution”. Laughter is subversive, political or not because it is an expression of optimism, of being able to face the future, not letting anything defeat a person, and having the last laugh.