Emily Duffy

My Interests:

Visual Art, Improv, ArtCars, Film, Mystery Novels, Whooping some Right-Wing Ass!

Political Skills:

Produced and sold Dean swag for Northern CA activists, organized Democracy Rising (topic-oriented activist discussion groups), literature drop in Reno, NV 2004, Spoke at DNC Meeting in Sacramento on behalf of nominating Howard Dean chair, voter registration, precinct walking.

Favorite Quote:

"Voting gets you a D!" - Howard Dean.

About Me:

I grew up in Berkeley, California, an historic hotbed of political activism, but was too young to participate in the Free Speech and anti-war movements of the sixties and seventies. But I think the strange goings-on I witnessed sank into my psyche anyway. Perhaps that's why I was apolitical for most of my life. Now, in my forties, the American right wing's hijacking of our government has forced me to become a political activist.

As an artist I've learned when conveying political or social messages in art it’s essential not to become heavy-handed. People don’t like to be preached to. I therefore employ irony and humor in my message artwork.

Until 2000 my themes were related to female body-image and the beauty and fashion industries, (having worked in the fashion industry for thirteen years, I had much to say about it.) Now, in the Bush II era, it seems urgent to raise the alarm that basic democratic ideals are being maniupulated, perhaps permanently. Because my language is art, I’m using various media to express my concern though artwork.