In his recent work “The Posse,” an original 60×60 acrylic painting, Ross reveals the theatrical nature of Western mythology. “This one came to me in a dream,” he explains. “Four lawmen, led by Pat Garrett, riding at midnight under the stars.” The piece features actual wooden stars attached to the canvas, representing both the officers’ badges and the night sky. “The stars in the sky are intended to reinforce the idea that this is a theatrical production…the story is being danced out on a stage with all the props.”
These theatrical elements speak to Ross’ larger artistic philosophy – that historical narratives are performances we enact and reenact, shaping our understanding of the past. His work consistently demonstrates that the folk heroes of the American West were not simply characters in a black-and-white morality tale, but complex individuals whose stories continue to resonate.
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