Anathema Paintings

        The 10 paintings representing the core element of the exhibition are composed of portraits of historical figures who in some way played important roles in the shaping of their nation’s destinies; these personalities in one way or another had the uncommon dilemma of choosing between their personal interests or those of their nations, in all cases the consequences of their choices, and how they followed them, became our common history. The figures represented in these paintings have all undergone the unique transition from individual human being into that of a symbol representing a concept or idea, in many cases the symbol each represents has been inverted in its significance depending on the observer as many of these figures have been lauded by one group while despised by another. 

        The primary visual technique utilized in the construction of the paintings has been duality. In composing the paintings from multiple images I have sought to portray more complex ideas than would be ordinarily conveyed by the simple production of a portrait of one of the personalities represented.  This visual play of duality also mirrors the philosophical ambiguity many of these figures embody as a result of their place in our history.