Visual narrative on the state of the American medical system takes form in the installation National Anthem.  Emerging conceptual artist Gina Teichert repurposes her health insurance bills in a stunning display of systematic corruption and disproportionate premium inflation.

A recent study by the Institute of Medicine pinpoints roughly thirty percent of medical costs as the result of waste and unchecked inefficiencies within the system.  The artist’s own insurance premiums increased more than 250% over the course of five years.

Teichert brings a human element to the heated healthcare debate, one that dominates political dialogue in this election year.  She, like many Americans, has become a bargaining chip in bitter partisan warfare.

The artist cites fear of mainstream galleries to enter into serious political dialog as her motivation to self produce the show.  “I felt that there really wasn’t a place for this kind of discourse within the established gallery system.  Dealers are only willing to support certain kinds of political expression; they’re comfortable with street art, they’re comfortable with Occupiers, yet they’re uncomfortable with me.  Dealers want women like me to make home décor for their clientele and to smile and look pretty at the opening.”

“No one expects me to have a voice.  In San Francisco, I am the counterculture.”

The exhibition also included works from her series Spare Any Change- homeless signs encased in resin as pop art jewels.  Selections from Spare Any Change were included in Los Angeles Art Association’s Annual survey by juror Charlie Manzo of Gagosian Gallery, New York.