Dennis John Kucinich, Mayor of Cleveland

A man sits before his desk. On the wall behind him, a massive power plant is depicted. The man's name is Dennis Kucinich. He was the 53rd Mayor of Cleveland.

This painting differs significantly from what one typically imagines as a 'mayoral portrait.' Usually, such paintings are commissioned with city funds or donations. However, not a single penny of public money was spent on this work.

Yet, this portrait is, in fact, the story of a 'rejected man,' painted with fierce determination by a 'dying man.' Kucinich was a highly controversial politician. He fiercely opposed local business interests to protect the publicly owned power company. As a result, no one provided funds for an official portrait to be displayed in City Hall. The mayor's 'face,' which should have been there, was absent from City Hall.