LIVING WITH FUR!
posted:
It’s Trouble Makes the Monkey Chew on Hot Peppers: the story of
Compair Lapin. Acrylic and Pencil on Stonehenge Paper, 24X30, 2010.
I just made these for the exhibit LIVING WITH FUR put together by Gale Hart for A Bitchin’ Space Gallery. This group of paintings is a retelling of the Brer Rabbit story as written by Georgian, Joel Chandler Harris in his 1881 book “Uncle Remus.” “Uncle Remus” is narrated by Brer (Brother) Rabbit, who supports racist, patronizing attitudes towards African Americans, as well as a controversial defense of slavery. Clearly falling within the realm of art in support of imperialist tendencies, “Remus” is a prima facie example of how dubious our wobbly American cultural legs can actually be. I am suggesting that the systematic repression of animals and its’ resultant backlash can serve as metaphor for reprehensible treatment of human beings as well. While both African as well as Cherokee origins of “trickster” rabbit stories have been noted, Compair Lapin is the Creole derivation “friend” rabbit.
“It’s Trouble Makes the Monkey Chew on Hot Peppers,” a saying that conveys the notion that sometimes one must use extreme measures in extreme circumstances, underscoring the folk tales’ African origins. “Uncle Remus” provides a tri-cultural look at the perversion of slavery and the means to potentially overcome it via mythological transcendence. Over a lifetime I have cared deeply about conflict; conflict both between men as well as between man and animals. While my earlier work focused on alienation, moral lassitude, redemption and transcendence from secular stance, recent paintings have articulated an investigation of institutional subjugation, repression and the resultant backlash through a disjointed, narrative style of visual storytelling. My work has evolved to combine themes of colonialism and domination, vegetarianism, and the implicit cruelty toward animals, into a compelling cryptic social commentary. I believe that this work contributes to current debates about the persistence of racism and speciesism in the world and perhaps optimistically alludes to what biologist E.O. Wilson calls “consilience,” or a coming together in order to move forward. Long time vegetarian and animal activist, Sacramento artist Gale Hart, the curatorial impetus behind LIVING WITH FUR, says that the exhibit challenges people's assumptions and examines our culture's diverse understanding of “these creatures” [rabbits] and the various ways “we are all Living with Fur”. Proceeds benefit a house rabbit organization dedicated to rescuing rabbits and finding permanent homes for them. Living With Fur is a large group show featuring local and national artists and includes Drawgers’ own Richard [R.J.] Downs. Friday, 8th 12- 6pm, 2nd Saturday 9th 12- 10 pm Sunday 10th 12- 4pm, 2010 
RED RABBIT, GREY RABBIT, 8X10, Acrylic on Canvas. 
PENCIL RABBIT, 6X4 inches, Acrylic and Pencil on Strathmore Bristol, 2010.             
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