Michael D'Antuono's Art And Response

HUFFPOST – Painting Of Donald Trump Chilling With Other GOP Presidents Gets Scathing Reworking

Michael D’Antuono depicted Trump as a cards-cheat in his biting reimagining of Andy Thomas’ “The Republican Club.”

By Lee Moran  (Original Article)

Remember that painting of President Donald Trump that viewers spotted hanging in the White House during his bizarre “60 Minutes” interview in October? Artist Andy Thomas’ piece, titled “The Republican Club,” depicted Trump shooting the breeze with other GOP presidents. Here it is:

Well, New York artist Michael D’Antuono, 62, has reimagined the work in accordance with how he believes the scene would really play out. And he doesn’t believe Trump will be hanging his painting, titled “Party Pooper,” in the official residence anytime soon.

D’Antuono’s version shows Trump facing the wrath of the other presidents for cheating at cards. Protesters stand outside the window, and the Trump baby blimp also makes a subtle appearance. (more…)

Trump Exhibit – Defining the Art of Change

Trump exhibit opening Sept 30, 2018 at Center for Contemporary Political Art Wash. DCA Trump Exhibit like no other. Donald Trump has changed the tone of national discourse in America. The Center For Contemporary Political Art’s premier exhibition will reflect that change with art no one else has been brave enough to exhibit until now.

The Nation’s first fine arts center dedicated exclusively to political art opens Sunday, September 30 with a massive exhibition of over 100 works by 99 political artists. The Defining the Art of Change in the Age of Trump exhibit will unleash the kind of hard-hitting art you won’t see anywhere else.

The works of art in the exhibit were selected by a jury of art experts from more than 500 works submitted by nearly 300 artists from across the country. The jurors were Dorothy Dietrich, an art historian a former professor of art history at Princeton University and Pratt institute; Judy Greenberg, director emeritus, Kreeger Museum: Jack Rasmussen, director, Katzen Arts Center, American University and Charles Krause, founder and board chair.

The center is kicking off with art too controversial for galleries and museums afraid to offend donors or get into a pissing match with a president. Artists include Michael D’Antuono, Gary Aagaard, Alfonse Pagano, Kevin Flynn, George Kennedy and many more. Featured art above; The Petulant President by Michael D’Antuono.

The Center opens to the public at noon on Sunday, September 30th, 2018 across from the Martin Luther King Library 916 G Street NW. Washington, DC. The center’s website is www.politicsartus.org. For more information contact Charles Krause 202-638-3612 or charles@politicsartus.org.

Museum of Broken Windows

White father explaining Michael D'Antuono's painting, "The Talk" to his son at the Museum of Broken Windows.On Sept 21st, 2018 I attended the opening of The Museum of Broken Windows in NYC. I was proud to exhibit alongside Keith Haring and Dread Scott. Even more rewarding was the response to my painting,The Talk. Listening to a white father explain the talk black fathers must have with their sons reminded me of why I paint. I was also fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with the mothers of Eric Garner and Sean Bell at the event. Two very strong women whose stories must be heard.

The event was sponsored by the NYCLU as a pop-up experience in New York City, featuring the work of artists from around the country. The Museum, which ran from Sept. 22-30, showcased the ineffectiveness of broken windows policing, which criminalizes our most vulnerable communities. The strategy of broken windows policing is outdated and has never been proven to be effective at reducing crime. For decades, communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by broken windows policing.

The broken windows theory is an academic theory proposed by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling in 1982. The academic theory, which first appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, states that signs of disorder in a neighborhood, like a broken window, encourages petty crimes and leads to more serious crimes. This postulation was adopted by the New York City Police Department and led to the criminalization of poverty and the over-policing of Black and Brown communities at disproportionate rates. The theory has never been proven to be effective at reducing crime.

It is time for a change. New Yorkers are coming together for important conversations on policing and what it means to feel and be safe. Using art and creativity, the Museum of Broken Windows provided a powerful and emotional experience that critically looks at the system of policing in New York. The Museum of Broken Windows is a project of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

MANIFEST JUSTICE

Michael D'Antuono, Rosario Dawson, Shepard Fairey, Danny Glover, Manifest Justice

Above: Michael D’Antuono at Manifest Justice with Rosario Dawson, Shepard Fairey and Danny Glover

Michael’s “The Talk” was chosen by a panel including John Legend and Russell Simmons to represent institutional racism at the Manifest Justice exhibition in L.A. Manifest Justice presented Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin with a large giclee of “The Talk” following her speech. The event focuses on racial justice, economic justice, police brutality, mass incarceration and more. It runs from May 1-10 in Los Angeles.

Sybrina Fulton (Trayvon Martin's mother) with her giclee of  "The Talk."

Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton with her giclee of Michael D’Antuono’s “The Talk.”

Below are links to some of the press about the event:

http://www.alternet.org/culture/radical-culture-new-show-features-art-inspires-people-fight-injustice

http://voicewaves.org/2015/05/at-manifest-justice-exhibit-life-reflects-art/

http://www.la.com/ci_28026328/political-pop-up-art-exhibit-manifest-justice?source=most_viewed

http://www.lasentinel.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15086&catid=122&Itemid=261