Civil Rights and Ofili

"The Art of Protest" began differently than I had expected. I had originally thought that the book would be about protest art, but I guess I was wrong. The first chapter talked all about the Civil Rights movement and about how much of what I knew to be true about it was, in fact, false. Here are some of the things I learned:

1. Many of the efforts were those of black WOMEN, not men, like I had thought
2. Martin Luther King, Jr. was not the movement's leader
3. The movement was not entirely supported by the church, in fact, it was condemned by some
4. Very few white people at all had anything to do with the movement or its success :(

The chapter also discussed the incorporation of music in the movement and its power. I had known about music beng used in times of protest or trouble, so it was no surprise to me to be hearing this information. In fact, I had learned years before of the 'spirituals' in times of slavery and how they had an influence on history even after that time period had come to a close.


As for the artist in this week's article from, "In the Making", I wish I could be so thoughtful and reflective. I found his painting, "Holy Mother of God" to be one of the more offensive works of art that I have encountered thus far. I do not understand artists who manipulate religious symbols to manifest their thoughts. Why can't they use something else, possibly something original, since they are 'so creative.'

I don't know what bothers me more about this painting.

1. The fact that there is elephant dung on it
2. That the elephant dung is a breast
3. That the breast does not symbolize motherhood, but sexuality
4. That the other pieces of dung are supporting the painting, so it can 'stand in its own crap' (i don't use the term he said)
5. The 'crotch shot' and buttocks 'butterflies'
6. The vaginal symbols everywhere in the hair AND dress of the virgin


Ugh, this painting makes me so angry. It is NO WONDER why people were so upset. I TOTALLY understand why. How dare he twist the virgin mother into a sex object?! He could have got his point across in another way. Just like Serrano, I have no respect or anything positive to say about an artist who manipulates religious symbols, I think it's just wrong. The end.