5.15.13 | Art Threat
Conservative Christ illustrates America’s evil Jesus
The latest work by American artist Michael D’Antuono has once again drawn ire from US conservatives for pointing out the hypocrisy amongst their ranks.
His latest work, The Conservative Christ, depicts Jesus with an AK-47 hoisted into their air, clutching tightly to a pot of gold, and sneering derisively at a poor, old man. By illustrating precisely what Jesus would not do, D’Antuono draws attention to the awkward dissonance between Conservative’s sociopolitical beliefs and their supposed adherence to Christian values.
It was in an attempt to understand this conflict that inspired him to create the work.
It seems like the ultimate in sanctimonious hypocrisy to identify yourself with Christ and also with conservative policies. Christ’s teachings of compassion, forgiveness and acceptance just don’t align up with Republican positions on entitlements, healthcare, immigration and marriage equality.
Abortion is the one issue I can see where Jesus might agree with the right and maybe that trumps everything else for them. Even with that, it’s hard to understand dichotomy of how they can be protective of the unborn, but generally hawkish when it comes to creating wars that kill fully realized individuals.
Despite being a lightning rod for Conservative outrage, D’Antuono, who previously worked as an illustrator before severe tendinitis drove him towards oil painting, and his work has been featured regularly on The Blaze, the right-wing TV network and website founded by talk radio host Glenn Beck. D’Antuono believes, however, that his appearance was about more than fanning the flames of Beck’s viewers:
A strong constitutionalist, I think Glenn truly [believes] in defending my first amendment right to exhibit my painting even though he and I differ greatly politically. He’s also a smart businessman. Talking about my painting and trying to sell his piece inspired by it gained him a lot of attention. Also, covering my art gets a large amount of comments from his audience. I have to give him and his organization credit as despite our philosophical differences, they have always represented me fairly.
4.25.13 | The Blaze
Artist Michael D’Antuono is certainly no stranger to controversy. His latest painting, “The Conservative Christ,” will likely frustrate conservative Christians, particularly because of how it depicts their views on issues like guns and poverty. TheBlaze spoke with D’Antuono today about his newest work to learn more about its meaning and what motivated him to create it. (continues...)
4.25.13 | The Blaze
The oil painting depicts two bloody hands reaching out in a position reminiscent of Michaelagelo’s Creation of Adam with a check in between. The check is made out to “Senator” and signed by the NRA’s Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre. The amount of money is covered, but it is dated April 17 with the section stating the purpose of the funds as for “killing the gun control bill.” (continues...)
3.25.13 | A Tale of Two Mikes
Michael with Michael Moore at the 10th anniversary screening of Michael's Moore's academy award winning film Bowling for Columbine.
The Newtown Project: A Call To Arms
Reopening at:
The First Congregational United Church of Christ,
945 G Street, NW Washington, DC
Exhibition Dates: April 5th -May 19, 2013
Re-Opening Reception: April 5th
Petroleum Paradox
A group exhibition that stir emotions, discussion and debate about our petroleum-dependent world; global warming and the power of big oil companies to control governments.
Exhibition Dates: April 6, 2013 to May 18, 2013
Opening Reception: Sunday April 14 12-4 pm
Venue: Narrows Art Center 16 Anawan St. Fall River, MA (508) 324-1926
Charles Krause Reporting Fine Art Gallery
Michael will debut his provocative new painting “Brought To You By The NRA” as part of the anti-gun art exhibition “The Newtown Project: A Call To Arms” opening just a few blocks from the White House on January 2013, the eve of the Presidential Inauguration.
Opening Reception: Jan. 20, 2013 1pm-7pm
Closing: Feb. 18, 2013 (President's Day)
Charles Krause Reporting Fine Art Gallery is located at
1300 13th Street NW, corner of N, Suite 105, Washington DC 20005.
The provocative painter Michael D’Antuono, like many artists, wants people to look at his work and think. But he doesn’t just want them to tilt their head sideways and ponder his use of light. He chooses controversial topics and scenes ultimately wants people to engage in discussion that could lead to change. And his latest painting is sure to cause some discussions — perhaps heated ones.
The piece titled “Brought to You by the NRA” shows the wood floor of a classroom. Among scattered crayons lies a chalkboard eraser, a children’s career book, a carton of milk, a hand-drawn family portrait and playing blocks. Only those blocks spell out “NRA” and have gun sketches on their surfaces and bullet shells and blood splashes mar the scene.
Here's a short clip from Michael's appearance on Glenn Beck's show. You can see the entire interview on the press page
We've seen Barack Obama riding a lion, Paul Ryan as a hot dog and Hilary Clinton as Marilyn Monroe. After all this, you'd think no political art could shock us any more. And then we saw this:
Political artist Michael D'Antuono's painting, entitled, "Who the Hell Is Grover Norquist?" gives a whole new look at the conservative lobbyist opposing congressional tax increases. The founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform looms Oz-like above well-dressed supplicants, breathing smoke onto a backwards Republican logo.
"He is the lobbyist whose Svengali-like control over the GOP has forbidden them to end the Bush tax cuts for the rich, creating unpresedented gridlock and putting them in a very 'uncompromising position' negotiating the fiscal cliff," D'Antuono asserts on his website.
The only thing that could make this partisan painting better is a surprise appearance by Jon Keas' Wicked Bachmann of the West.
See more of D'Antuono's politically-charged paintings below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section. Did the artist go too far?
Painting of President Obama as
Crucified Christ Causes Controversy
Published on Nov 28, 2012
Artist depiction of Christ sparks debate - 11/28/12
"The Truth" - Obama painting raises eyebrows
Nov . 28, 2012 | An artist's shocking painting of President Barack Obama that has many talking at Bunker Hill Community College. Some used words like disrespectful, blasphemous and shameful to describe the painting, but the man behind the image used just one ...
Crucified Obama painting shocks many
Nov . 27, 2012 | CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (WHDH) -- An artist made a shocking statement at Bunker Hill Community College -- it’s a painting of President Barack Obama that has many talking. Some used words like disrespectful, blasphemous and shameful to ..
Obama Painting Raises Eyebrows
Nov . 28, 2012 | An artist's shocking painting of President Barack Obama that has many talking at Bunker Hill Community College.Some used words like disrespectful, blasphemous and shameful to describe the painting, but the man behind the ...
Painting Depicting Obama as Christ Causes a Stir
Nov . 28, 2012 | Augusta — An artist's shocking painting of President Barack Obama that has many talking at Bunker Hill Community College. Some used words like disrespectful, blasphemous and shameful to describe the painting, but the man ...
Huffington Post | 11/27/12
A painting featuring President Barack Obama in a Christ-like pose is getting poor reviews from some religious authorities, Fox News Radio reports.
The painting by New York-based artist by Michael D’Antuono is titled "The Truth" and features Obama with a crown of thorns on his head, in a position that is reminiscent of the crucifixion.
Currently on display at Boston's Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery as part of D'Antuono's politically charged “Artists on the Stump – the Road to the White House 2012" collection, the piece was actually supposed to debut several years ago at New York City’s Union Square.
The painting was "meant to be displayed as an art installation in New York's Union Square Park on President Obama's 100th day in office," according to D’Antuono's website. "The painting was to be in a mock voting booth for people to view privately and then interviewed to express their own views."
D’Antuono said he received 4,000 emails "mostly from the irate Christian Right who misinterpreted the art as blasphemy" and canceled the event, a decision he now regrets.
Fox News | Boston 11/27/12
CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (WHDH) -- An artist made a shocking statement at Bunker Hill Community College -- it’s a painting of President Barack Obama that has many talking.
Some used words like disrespectful, blasphemous and shameful to describe the painting, but the man behind the image used just one word: Art.
The painting shows President Obama in a Christ-like pose, as if nailed to a cross, with a crown of thorns on top of his head. The painted, titled “The Truth,” is on display at Bunker Hill Community College’s art gallery.
“It was meant as a political piece, not really a religious piece at all,”
said artist Michael D’Antuono.
Some have called it blasphemy.
“It means that the president was being crucified for whatever he said,”
said D’Antuono.
Read more: http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/boston/12009175489651/crucified-obama-painting-shocks-many/#ixzz2E6Q1TdI8
Two new paintings!
