drypoint etching on Stonehenge paper; 10×10”, image 6×6”

“’Impetus’ serves as commentary in response to the murder of African American man George Floyd on May 25th, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN. Following the murder, demonstrators, protestors, politicians, and mourners memorialized 8 minutes, 46 seconds as a way to respond to the death of George Floyd and years of police brutality suffered by African Americans. Since that day, the time stamp has been challenged and changed from 7 minutes, 46 seconds to 9 minutes, 29 seconds, but the end result of the Officers’ action, and inaction, remains. 8 minutes, 46 seconds exists as the rallying point that inspired change. The American Eagle and Crow carry varied symbolism intended to be perceived either as abuse of power by those in authority in direct reference to the kneeling on the neck of Georgy Floyd, America attempting to suppress transformation in transcending racist ideologies as symbolized by the Crow, or as Americans uniting in defense of their fellow man against the remnants of the Jim Crow laws.”

ARTIST BIO: Jamie Schorsch is a Cincinnati-based artist and art educator. She is employed by Oak Hills Local School District as an Art Teacher at Oak Hills High School and serves as the Art and Design Department Coordinator. When not teaching, Jamie spends her time creating murals throughout the Southwest Ohio region and exhibits her works that integrate psychology, religion, literature, and history, which inspire the conceptual and visual development for her artworks. The resulting repertoire of images created illustrates visual, social, and spiritual explorations and issues in relation to modern societal standards.