Roo

ALT A depiction of a giant Cthulu rising out of the sea against an ominous sky, clearly intent on attacking Christopher Columbus’ ships as they toss about in the rough ocean disturbed by the elder god’s ascension.

ALT A description panel: Ryan Singer Diné (Navajo), born 1973 Anticipatory Counteraction, 2019 Acrylic on canvas This painting depicts the ideas of H.P. Lovecraft's fictional creature Cthulhu and a parallel universe that intersects at the very time of the voyage of Columbus's fleet crossing the Atlantic Ocean on their way to India. This can be read as a science fictional response to colonialism invading the Indigenous world (pre-America). The symbolism of Columbus and the ships also represent the ideas of "Manifest Destiny," Expansionism and/or Imperialism. These concepts take from the land for profit and are never reciprocated. There should always be a mutual respectful exchange between human beings and Mother Earth. Indigenous people understood this concept and absorbed this into their religions. This image of Cthulhu attacking Columbus's Santa Maria can convey the realization and the continuing struggle with colonization -Ryan Singer