Venus, Michael Newberry, 2008, oil on linen, 48 x 48 inches
Yesterday, he posted these cogent thoughts:
There is a lot crap going down worldwide: religious warfare, American fascism, unethical scientists promoting political agendas, educators that want government policy to rule young minds, instead of individual teachers and parents - I see so much stupid stuff going down and so few right answers it's painful. And when I ask what could I do about it, I realize that I am.Amen.
Few of you will make the connection but the beautiful female (or male) nude in art is a symbol of individual freedom and happiness. That is one of the reasons that religions repudiate godlike nudes - if people are unique, happy, and free then religion or government have no hold on them.
So instead of taking up arms, or political power, or infiltrating teachers unions I paint about freedom. I have a hope that brilliant individuals will move obstacles out of their way, not take any shit from anybody or government, and will and continue to reach their outer reaches of fulfilment - and in doing so will become examples to others about what a well lived life looks like.
Jesus that's awful. Derivative kitsch is a style now?
ReplyDeleteIt's not a painting, I would hang on the wall at home, it comes across as too pornographic, but I do appreciate the deeper meaning of it.
ReplyDeleteB. Whitehead
Dare I say it, but you're both illustrating Michael's point...
ReplyDeleteWell, I like it. The rest of you must have rocks in your heads if you don't. What the hell is wrong with you?
ReplyDeleteAmit
There are a multitude of far better examples of nudes over the last 6 centuries across several genres (is highly stylised photo-realism a genre?), a bit of wank about "freedom" notwithstanding.
ReplyDelete