Title: 16,582 days to a Symphony of Brotherhood - painting by ben joyce

This painting was inspired by the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009 and Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech back on August 28, 1963.

16,582 days separate these two historic events, yet it's amazing how close in proximity the two locations are, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the steps of the Capital.  It is inspiring to hear MLK's speech on Equality, and the fact that segregation was very real even 40 years ago, is a testament to how far our country has come.

16,582 days to a Symphony of Brotherhood represents where we were over 45 years ago and the Black and White segregation of our society. The painting shows the growth and awareness of the people as it travels to the present day of that Dream being realized. The painting's barriers are broken up beyond the Capital, representing the barriers that have been broken in the name of Equality.

Style: Abstract Topophilia; Topophilia meaning: The affective bond between people and place. The love of place. Painting from a birds eye vantage point allows the viewer the experience of traveling through the piece, based on memories, emotions, experiences, and history of that place. Each individual's experience will therefore  be completely unique. Consider it a non-traditional perspective of landscapes.

I created this piece to show the transformation this country has gone through, and how beautiful it is when we all live side by side.

- ben joyce