A Worm In The Suburban Bud

Clearly discernible within the torrent of abstract forms is the human hand holding a rifle. The act of violence, representing the subject matter of this print and many other works created by Harrington in the last years, displays an unsettling dimension of anonymity. The holder of the rifle cannot be identified since, except for legs, hands, and a small fragment of a green vest, no more human characteristics are featured in the print. In fact, a large block of black paint covers the area where the human face should appear, thus making the questions of accountability key to this politically charged work. Harrington comments on the issues of power and violence that inform the subject matter and style of his prints: "Distortion [of the figures] is important to me because, whether it’s the Romans or the British, no one can stay dominant."