Jigsaw Nation

In 2006 I was asked to create a visual

interpretation of Jigsaw Nation, a theater

piece performed by the Relentless

Theatre Company. The artwork evolved

after watching workshop performances of

the piece and with feedback from the

Company’s writers and producers.

Jigsaw Nation is presented as a series of

overlapping monologues culled from

hours of man-on-the-street interviews that

address the question, “What does

American mean to you?” and thereby

creating a rich tapestry of stories that

reflects the American experience.

"It's all about celebrating the American

spirit," explains Relentless Theatre

founding artistic director Olivia Honegger.

"Although Americans are able to make

their voices heard through their right to

vote, many feel their feelings fall on deaf

ears. Responses to our question have

included words like 'freedom,' 'racism'

and 'independence,' and have expressed

such emotions as pride, fear, and

confusion. We try to reach out to every demographic, and voices heard in the play range from that of a ship's captain living in

Brooklyn to a survivor of the Cultural Revolution, from a U.S. solider in Iraq to a first generation [East] Indian."

The New York Sun wrote, "Jigsaw Nation draws its considerable power from the startling immediacy of real people's speech.

As the five simply dressed actors turn from veteran to teenager, immigrant to red stater, the script's uncanny ability to deliver

the original voices intact makes the characters crackle with life."

I layered text within the artwork to suggest the multiplicity of voices within the play.  The portraits are both individual and

universal, as is the American, and human, experience.  Relentless Theatre is using this piece in their promotional materials

as they tour nationwide.

To learn more about Jigsaw Nation and the Relentless Theatre Company, visit www.relentlesstheatre.com.