The Four Freedoms (A Tribute to Norman Rockwell)

Sculptor Deborah Samia’s bas reliefs portray each of Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms with a contemporary twist. “Those living in the margins of our society should have their voices heard,” wrote the artist, who lives in Oakland, California. Freedom of Speech portrays a female night janitor, who may be undervalued at work, but is the matriarch and provider for her family at home. “In Freedom of Worship re-imagining, I include Eastern religions that have flourished in our country since Rockwell’s lifetime…Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism. Our country can be unified in knowing that we are all Americans, even while honoring our different heritages and beliefs.” In Freedom from Want, an African American family shares a meal, “a safe place where young and old, friends and family, are welcomed in anticipation of the feast.” Freedom of Fear portrays a Sikh family living in fear of hate crimes