La Pieta di Ryan

La Pieta di Ryan - China + Mexico = Fentanyl = Death

"The print titled 'La Pieta di Ryan' is based on Michelangelo's statue, 'The Pieta.' In this rendition, the Virgin Mary is represented by my wife, and Jesus is symbolized by my son Ryan, who tragically passed away at the age of 24 due to an accidental drug overdose of fentanyl. The intricate designs and patterns on the loincloth and upper circles of the artwork are inspired by my son's own artwork, which reminded me of Morse code. Therefore, I incorporated Morse code elements into the piece. The upper left-hand circle reads 'China' in Morse code, while the upper right-hand circle reads 'Mexico.' The horizontal line across the middle of the print spells 'fentanyl,' and the sash across the woman's chest spells my son's name, 'Ryan.' Additionally, the Tree of Life represents the afterlife and the connection between Earth and Heaven, and it was also a necklace that my son wore frequently.

The artwork serves as a personal tribute to my son, but it also carries a deeper message. It reflects the devastating reality of the fentanyl crisis, which is fueled by the supply chain from China to Mexican drug cartels, who then distribute fentanyl throughout the United States. Shockingly, fentanyl caused 53,480 preventable deaths in 2020 and 70,601 in 2021. In 2022, drug-related deaths reached a new record of 109,680 people, as the fentanyl crisis continues to deepen, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To put these numbers into perspective, they surpass the 47,434 deaths of United States service men and women over a 20-year period in combat during the Vietnam War. If the fentanyl-related deaths persist at this rate for 10 years, the projected number of fatalities will exceed 500,000, surpassing the death toll of World War II by 100,000.

The Vietnam War cost $168 billion, which is equivalent to $1 trillion in today's dollars. This amount included $111 billion for military operations and $28.5 billion in aid to South Vietnam. Presently, the compensation benefits for Vietnam veterans and their families still amount to $22 billion per year. Given the magnitude of the fentanyl crisis, it is imperative for the United States to declare war on fentanyl and allocate the necessary resources to prevent its entry into our country and protect American citizens from its lethal consequences."