Stephanie Mercado’s paintings and prints examine and interpret how history is recorded. She merges historical imagery with contemporary pop-culture, transforming the narrative by introducing gaudy gold chains and cartoonish dollar bills. These contemporary elements reveal how the power of images has influenced American culture, fostering the proverbial “American Dream”. Mercado’s recent portraits of maids tell a story about power, class, and human relationships. They explore themes of subjugation and the nuances by which people try to maintain their identity, dignity, and independence. Their black and white uniforms depersonalize the figures, creating archetypes and defining roles the characters are expected to play. Contrasting elements in their environment interrupt and create alternative narratives in an exploration of self-realization and identity. Each figure is caught in a place between reality and a world that is deformed and shaped by the people who control their environment and their livelihood.