^^ And before you all reply… I know, it's me!

Just wondering if I need to practise my touch typing 

On a side note, I think the dude on the left is Gaius Baltar

Try reading the title ( hint it's a naked bird under a sheet).

I wish it was smaller, framing will cost more than the print!

Great question. I don't have the answer, but only my interpretation.

I think, like any good art, there is room for the viewer to interpret this piece from his/her own perspective.

Having said this, an understanding of the context of Conor's previous bodies of work is important in order to appreciate the symbolism and messages Conor portrays in this piece.

His recent shows "Dead Meat" & "A whole lot of trouble for a little bit of win" gave us an insight in to the themes of empire and the cycles of power important to Conor.

Conor is particularly interested in the transition of the centre of power from the West to the East. Despite his paintings referencing the Baroque period they are very much concerned with our contemporary world. Paintings titled, "Who's World is this?", "When we were kings" and "For Want of a Kingdom, the Battle Was Lost" all reference Europe's economic and political decline in light of the rise of China.

In "The Unveiling", we can see familiar motifs of power the UN flag, a globe, a renaissance bust resting on the floor, the trophy dead pheasant and a table of cornucopia (with the nude female) being unveiled (offered) to the 'emperor' (seated).

Why are the symbols of empire placed on the floor? And symbols of excess / plenty commanding the attention of the protagonist? Is it a reference as to the moral state of our society in the west, that has allowed us to lose our grip on empire? Has decadence led to the fall of the West? 

The flag is vague and the globe is also indistinct, which further lends to my interpretation that the artist feels power is fading in plain sight, whilst the protagonist pays more attention to the 'offering'. 

I would be interested to see the complete body of work for the show, which I am sure would add clarity to interpreting this piece.

What do others think?  



  


 

I really like this and ambesivam1 interpretation!

Refreshing post. Thanks. I've only seen a tiny pic on my mobile. I'm waiting to have a look on a big screen. I'll be especially interested to do so after reading this.

Very refreshing to hear a thoughtful interpretation of art on here. Much better than the usually talk of money. Well done

I might have to pass on this one. Was not approved by the wife. Why get it if it won't make the wall? (Unless you plan to flip it.) I was hoping for this as a print.

And glossy. Don't forget glossy.

Looking forward to any pics of this when folks receive them.

Normally to get a gloss finish on a digital print, youd print it on a gloss stock. Archival stocks for the most part are matte, and the silkscreen adds a nice finish on the image itself, leaving the outside edge and sig areas untouched to be signed and numbered by pencil. Thats my guess

Very interesting observations anbesivam1 and thank you for sharing – indeed these themes have indeed been consistently employed by Conor in the last couple of years. I’d only add that my guess is that in keeping with Conor’s previous work where naked flesh is literally "served up" and adds to the cornucopia and the idea of excess and abundance, that this is a comment on a sex (porn perhaps?) obsessed society and as a result of that I think the bust on the floor here could equally be Caligula as well as Nero (see the film below at 55.00 where Conor references Nero in Dead Meat).

For those of you that have not seen it – and I have only just come across it - here is a film of Conor from around the time of the Dead Meat show explaining his work up to that point. It’s all relevant and really revealing, but for those that are looking for clues for the meaning behind “The Unveiling” watch from around the 52.12 mark.

Any idea what shipping to the US will be? Last time I tried to order a "large" print it was like 75 bucks.