Cowboy Dreams
(tag 762)
2015
Private Collection
Assemblage (15” x 16.25 x 2”)
- wood foundry mold
- copper wire
- vintage circa 1950’s physique photograph
- bell remnant
Artist description:
The artist grew up in 1950’s America, when country swing music was popular and cowboy characters were a familiar presence in movies and on TV. Often the cowboy was presented as the idealized male, the embodiment of masculinity, patriotism and goodness. They were ‘super heroes’ of 1950’s America.
As a little boy, early heroes for D’Elia included the handsome TV cowboy star Roy Rogers of the Roy Rogers Show, Clayton Moore who played the Lone Ranger, and the older aviation cowboy, Kirby Grant, who played Sky King. As a little boy D’Elia had fantasies about hanging out with them and going on adventures together. With this artwork, D’Elia celebrates the fantasy of the American cowboy. However, the use of the copper wire represents the ‘quiet prison of despair’ that D’Elia felt back then with the realization that he would likely not be accepted by the cowboys if it was discovered that he was a gay boy.