By Benjamin Sidloski, April 2017.
Artist’s statement: The painting which I have tampered with so shamelessly is Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement, which is a massive fresco on the far wall of the Sistine Chapel. I chose this painting because of its ties to the heart of old Catholicism as well as the remains of the Roman Empire; two of the most historically influential, respected, and brutal institutions. In this piece I attempt to compare these institutions with contemporary North American culture. For instance, the portrayal of Obama as Jesus is meant to satirize the divine power with which he authorizes the murder of hundreds, including children, in the name of Democracy. This piece takes a harsh satirical stance against the use of drones and autonomous weapons, as they give godlike power to ordinary people.
Included also, in an attempt to show the inanity of the privileged society, are a group of angels watching shark week specials in the upper left, Harambe occupying a place near the saints Bart Simpson and Peter Griffin, and Saint John the Prophet preparing to enjoy his happy meal. Saint Peter Griffin holds in his hands the keys to the nuclear codes, and represents the current sitting president who I don’t believe I need to name. Waldo is also located within the painting, if one can find him.
Hell is occupied by the political dissidents and the threats to the government. Placed among them is Anwar Al-awaki, the anti-american author and recruiter for terrorist organizations, who was targeted in a drone strike authorized by Obama. In the background is his son, who was a 16 year-old American citizen who was killed in another drone strike months later. Anecdotally, Al-awaki’s 8 year old daughter was killed in a separate strike, but she is not located within the picture. This trinity of victims, proclaimed as enemies by the United States government, are represented with a trinity of bombs. Lastly, a Unicef tent has been placed on the shores of hell beside an Isis flag, representing the hypocritical role of government aid given to countries whom they also bomb. The flag in relation to the humanitarian aid tent is a symbol of the terrorist regimes within the decimated populace of the Middle East, perpetuated by the bombs that are claimed to be meant to stop them.