There’s No Place Like HOME
Candice Alexander’s annual Mardi Gras posters have become an anticipated part of her work in the community. The posters usually feature a classic, inspired, jewel ordained Queen, symbolic of the Southern festivals.
In 2021 Mardi Gras was officially canceled due to the Covid pandemic. Candice; however, decided to continue the tradition of releasing a poster.
The 2021 Mardi Gras piece captured aspects of the pandemic in an unforgettable way, telling a story with a mix of imagery, history, and past bodies of work. Along with a little flare and sarcasm, the star of the poster was the famous cultural icon of World War II, Rosie the Riveter… “Mardi Gras 2021 - We Can’t Do it”.
This year Alexander visited New Orleans, days before she began her Mardi Gras design for 2022. Her experience there was the inspiration for this new piece. During her visit, a panicked employee yelled across the restaurant, “Stop right there, show us your vaccine card!” The experience was so shockingly different than the usual Southern hospitality Louisianaians are known for.
The representation of the piece is inspired by a cyclone that carried Dorothy to the Land of Oz, a representation to the economic and political upheaval, and the yellow brick road stands for the gold standard in the Country.
“There Is No Place Like Home”, and for the people of Louisiana - hospitality and good times are so much of what we love about the South! The strain of the pandemic on the local businesses of New Orleans and almost everywhere in the Country has changed what that HOME feels like.
The artist pulled from past bodies of work in this year’s poster, staying true to her affinity for incorporating older pieces into new ones.
As you wander through the piece you will find the iconic blue tarps making up a few stones of the yellow brick road symbolizing the battles we still fight to rebuild from Laura, Delta and Ida.
Alexander also incorporated a brightly painted pelican from one her most popular pieces “Three Pelicans”, the pelican is a symbol of sacrifice and generosity, and for the artist in this piece represents the citizens of Louisiana.
Alexander’s hands are featured in the top of the piece pulling the puppet strings of imagination in this satirical work along with feet at the bottom, up and down panoramic-like.
As the years of the pandemic roll in the rabbit hole, the toilet bowls makes us laugh at the “$hit $how” we find ourselves in.
There is no place like home and we will make it through to let the good times roll once again. In the meantime the best we can do is be kind to one another and celebrate together because all we have is the present time. We move forward each day with faith in our hearts as we create memories with our families, friends and community.
Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler
Happy Mardi Gras Y’all!
Candice Alexander
Alexander Art Studio
