Bobabilicops (after Goya)

1991
Watercolor, pen and ink, color pencil.

Like most Americans, I was shocked and horrified when I saw the infamous Rodney King beating video tape. As a white suburbanite, I had grown up seeing cops as good guys, and I believe most are. But harassment and discrimination against minorities does occur; a former pastor of mine, who is black, told stories of being stopped and hassled by the police for doing nothing but walk in his own neighborhood.

The inspiration for this piece is a horrific etching by Francisco de Goya called Bobabilicon.