Check out the newest cover art for Time Magazine celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Read the full article about the art HERE and Shepard’s comments below.

I wanted to reinterpret the Statue of Liberty because it is iconic and has wide appeal, making it a powerful and universal symbol, but I think there are several aspects of its symbolism and history that are worth focusing on. First, the statue was a goodwill and partnership gift from the French as a commemoration of the U.S. centennial and its dedication to democracy. The subtitle “Liberty Enlightening the World” was a nod the the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. as well as the freedoms and progressive politics defining the nation. Second, the statue became a symbol of welcome to immigrants arriving by sea. Third, the statue is inscribed with the Emma Lazarus poem “The New Colossus” which calls Lady Liberty the “Mother of Exiles” and includes the famous line “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”. With all of that in mind, my modern day Statue of Liberty is a beautiful multi-ethnic woman representing the melting pot of America and the promise of pluralism in a more fair and just society. -Shepard