Guns

Edward, one of my students, made me a postcard while I was away over holiday break. I love it so much that it's still hanging up on my refrigerator. Every time I look at it, I laugh a little bit. It's slightly reminiscent of Andy Warhol's repetitious style, yet still captures that northern Minnesota, tacky t-shirt feel.

While much of the world sees a gun as a scary and deadly weapon, Edward sees a gun as an essential tool. He's proud of his gun because it brings him and his family recognition and prestige in the community, not to mention food for months. I suppose the image of a gun carries a lot of symbolic weight, whether it's good or bad depends on your geography.

Front: Stunning composition: two huge rifles balance the enormous moose. Both Edward and his father have told me all about their rifle. Naturally, their rifle is the exact same gun on the cover of my postcard, twice.

Back: Edward's hunting story. He still gets fired up when he talks about the "14 moose" on the mountain.


Andy Warhol: Gun. Are you seeing the resemblance?