This Margaret Sutherland painting is gaining plenty of attention, due to the fact that she is using Canada’s Prime Minister as the focal point behind her oil-painting titled ‘Emperor Haute Couture.’
This piece is currently being displayed at the Kingston Public Library as part of the Arts Council show. Sutherland claims that the painting is a satirical piece inspired by Édouard Manet’s oil painting from 1863 that features a nude woman lying on a bed.
This rather comical portrait displays the Prime Minister laying on a couch with a dog alongside him, although he actually owns a cat named Stanley. What really stands out in this picture is the blatant Tim Horton’s cup, so Canadian eh?
The topic of nudity and where it is acceptable to be displayed is always a controversial one. This painting definitely stirred up a lot of talk over it being hung at a library that is accessible to younger children.
Nude Political Portraits
This Margaret Sutherland Painting of Stephen Harper is Satirical
Trend Themes
1. Political Satire Art - The trend of creating political satire art can be capitalized on by artists to produce works that convey strong political messages while at the same time entertaining and engaging viewers.
2. Controversial Art Display - The trend of displaying controversial art in publicly accessible spaces provides an opportunity for artists to showcase their art while generating debate and attention.
3. Use of Humor in Political Art - The trend of using humor in political artwork creates a valuable opportunity for artists to promote social and political commentary while making the subject matter more relatable and engaging for viewers.
Industry Implications
1. Art - By embracing controversial and satirical subjects in art, artists can harness the power of social commentary and use it as a tool to create thought-provoking works that resonate with their audience.
2. Publishing - Publishing (books, magazines, and newspapers) can take advantage of the trend to display controversial art in public spaces by covering the stories that highlight the tension this art is causing within the community.
3. Marketing - Humor can be a powerful marketing tool in promoting brands and products; marketers can take advantage of the trend of using humor in politically charged artworks by collaborating with artists to create campaigns that resonate with their audience.