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Poisoned Puppet
Medium:
Oil, acrylic, lock and chains on old, weathered, wooden typewriter drawer
Dimensions:
22 1/4"w x 30 1/4"h
Edge Treatment:
Hand painted edges have words associated with commercial art being a sell-out. Painting is wrapped in metal chain with a
lock.
Framing:
Unframed
Price:
$800
Original available for purchase:
Yes
Available in Giclee:
Yes
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"Poison Puppet"came straight out of the show title for "Poison and Perfume," or maybe it was the other
way around.
I wanted to express my strong feelings about how commericial art "poisoned" the artist inside me. After 25
years of running my own commercial art business, I found my pocketbook nice and fat, and my heart beyond empty. Over the past
two and a half years, I have discovered that for me, true happiness lies in my fine art. Regardless of public popularity,
income, or any other external factor. "Poison Puppet" is one of a set of two paintings that express these views
visually.
This painting was set inside an old, beat-up, weathered type drawer; symoblic of my weathered, beaten-up state as a commericial
artist.
The puppet dangles from the puppet strings held and manipulated by a corporate hand. The puppet is dressed as a jester
- a performer to entertain and do the bidding for the entertainment, enjoyment and profit of others. It's eyes are dead,
it's mouth is stitched shut - symbolic of the lack of the artist's true voice. In the background, $100 bills burn.
In the foreground, a heart lies on the ground, locked and bleeding; a symbol for how the heart of a true artist suffers
after extended practice in these commercial circumstances.
In the background, a crow waits; the symbol of the death of the soul.
The box is painted with phrases that I associate with commercial art as a profession; one that required me to sell out,
sell my soul, become an art whore for the creative whims of others. The bars, lock, and chain symbolize the prison I felt
trapped in for so long.
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