Now I don’t in general enjoy politically charged art works. This is because they usuallly are so grossly straightforward and lack any sort of right-brain influence. Such creativity craving works should be left to high-school sociology classes. Oh wait, here is an example:

Yes. We all understand that you hate Bush , but do you really have to make bad art about it?

I do however enjoy works of artistry which can subtly hint at politics, but have artistic value separate from what they represent. I like metaphors. I like them a lot. Walton Ford is an American artist who doesn’t have to use images of yelling US presidents, or peace signs, or tanks, to get his political opinions across. In fact, he has artistic talent and the uncanny ability to tap into some creative reserve and vomit beauty onto giant canvases.

His works, at first might appear to be traditional naturalist illustrations and are eerily reminiscent to works by 19th century artist and ornithologist John James Audubon ( his inspiration!). While Audubon revolutionized naturalist illustrations making them engaging and giving them life, Ford is adding to the art world all together. Taking a closer look at one of Ford’s works, one might be taken aback. Offended even. For in every work there is some hidden morbidity or violence taking place which is  easy to miss just glancing at the work.  His works are fogged to make them appear older, speaking perhaps about history repeating itself.

In ford’s 10 foot  work titled “Thanh Haung” , Ford references the vietnam war. At first and even second glances I hadn’t noticed that the tiger’s stripes are silhouettes. after reading more about he work, I found out that they are silhouettes of historic figures associated with the Chinese, French, and American military interventions in Vietnam. You might also notice the wasps attacking the tiger as well as the fire in the background.

Whatever you take from the work itself, It retains it’s amazing detail and colour, which is a trait all good art must have; separateness from it’s meaning.

Either way I suggest you check this out:

Tags: Art, artandstars