"One Nation Under Socialism" painting

[joebuck20]

Check out this awesome painting of Obama setting fire to the Constitution:

http://gawker.com/5895348/heres-a-cool-new-painting-of-obama-burning-the-constitution

Somehow, though, I feel it's missing something. It would have been improved if the artist had made Obama's eyesockets hollow with blood streaming from them.

And if he put a dead fetus in his hand.

He might as well go full bore, right? I don't think he quite gets the point across that Obama is evil.

Anyway, I love the image that the artist, Jon McNaughton, uses to promote the painting on his Web site, as if this were something you'd just hang up innocuously in your living room, like a still life of flowers.

http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/page/view_collection/Patriotic/421

[Wheelz]

Behold, "One Nation Under Socialism," a new masterpiece from America's Da Vinci, Jon McNaughton. (Previously best known for that one painting of Obama stepping on the constitution.) With it, McNaughton carries on in the tradition of some the 20th century's finest figurative artists. Buy two — one for now, and one to trade when Nobama hands control of the country over to the Black Panthers.I honestly cannot decide whether this is serious or mocking. The painting itself is too far into self-parody territory to be of any useful comparison...

[Drain Bead]

This one's much more interesting. (http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/page/view_collection/Patriotic/353)

[Greg Charles]

That's Poe's Law in action. In this case, it might mean that McNaughton has two markets for his work: people who believe that the painting is a parody of crazy extremists, and the crazy extremists. The money spends the same regardless.

[Simplicio]

This one's much more interesting. (http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/page/view_collection/Patriotic/353)

That's awesome!

[DianaG]

Personally, I'm most offended at the degradation of the phrase "fine art".

[Kobal2]

You know what this shit reminds me of, ironically ? The wave of "realist" art in Soviet Russia under Stalin, with allegories so subtle they might as well have been delivered with a sledgehammer.

It's fascinating, really.

[Larry Borgia]

This one's much more interesting. (http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/page/view_collection/Patriotic/353)

Here's a version with better mouseovers (http://www.shortpacked.com/McNaughton%20Fine%20Art.htm)

[Revtim]

Anyway, I love the image that the artist, Jon McNaughton, uses to promote the painting on his Web site, as if this were something you'd just hang up innocuously in your living room, like a still life of flowers.Hey, the first draft was probably Obama wiping his ass with the Bible, which really only works well on the bathroom wall.

[Leaffan]

Here's a version with better mouseovers (http://www.shortpacked.com/McNaughton%20Fine%20Art.htm)

Some of those mouseovers are pretty darned funny!

[Hypnagogic Jerk]

This one's much more interesting. (http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/page/view_collection/Patriotic/353)
We even did it before!

[joebuck20]

Here's what one art critic had to say about it:

CBSDC contacted Jerry Saltz, an art critic for New York Magazine, about the painting.

When asked for an opinion, Saltz said that the painting contained “bad academic derivative realism,” calling it “typical propaganda art, drop-dead obvious in message” and “visually dead as a doornail.”

“It panders and preaches to the converted and tells them what they already believe,” Saltz told CBSDC.

Saltz said the painting could not be compared to WWII art.

“It has no graphic power of its own. It simply attempts to crawl into the body of that sort of illustration.”

When asked if removed a few years from Obama’s presidency could the work be then viewed as art, Saltz said the work is “inverted, with an American as an enemy — Hitler, Tojo, Stalin, whoever.”

“It’s much closer to the hate images produced in Germany pre-1939, in 1950s USA Red scare, in the USA around Jim Crow, etc.”

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/03/20/controversial-painter-depicts-obama-with-burning-constitution/

[Beastly Rotter]

Hey, it's Emperor Palpatine!

[pravnik]

I like how he's pointing at it, in case you didn't notice it. "You see this here? This is the Constitution. I'm burning it. That's why it's on fire."

[Dallas Jones]

The OP art is incomplete.

He is holding the constitution with his right hand, he should be flipping a big Fuck You finger with his left.

The lack of imagination in protest art is an example of why our kids ain't learning.

[Rhythmdvl]

One Nation Under a Groove (http://dj.polishedsolid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/one-nation-under-a-groove-front2.jpg). :cool:




ETA: OMFG ... he's not only derivative, he's derivative of Thomas Kinkade (http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/page/view_collection/Most%20Popular/163)!

[pravnik]

Hey, in the earlier painting Jesus had the Constitution...how did Obama get it away from him?

[bup]

Hey, in the earlier painting Jesus had the Constitution...how did Obama get it away from him?Jesus has the proper long form constitution. Obama's is a short-form hospital constitution.

[BrainGlutton]

Hey, in the earlier painting Jesus had the Constitution...how did Obama get it away from him?

Won it in a basketball game.

[Marley23]

Hey, in the earlier painting Jesus had the Constitution...how did Obama get it away from him?
Stole it using an open-palm terrorist fist jab.

[Andy L]

Someone needs to tell the painter that his title "One Nation Under Socialism" is referring to a document ("The Pledge of Allegiance") written by a socialist - Francis Bellamy.

[detop]

What a lousy artist. Can't even paint a close resemblance to Whitney Houston (http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/page/view_collection/Most%20Popular/355).


Although, he should have kept the original German title (Deutschland erwache) for this one (http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/page/view_collection/Most%20Popular/419).

[Kevbo]

If they come out with a version on black velvet, sign me up!

[YogSosoth]

I prefer "One Nation under Cthulhu" (http://420.thrashbarg.net/mcnaughton-fine-art-one-nation-under-god-parody-jesus-cthulhu-blood-monsters.jpg) :D

[joebuck20]

The OP art is incomplete.

He is holding the constitution with his right hand, he should be flipping a big Fuck You finger with his left.

The lack of imagination in protest art is an example of why our kids ain't learning.

Meh, it'd be better if he were grabbing his nuts.

[Balance]

I prefer "One Nation under Cthulhu" (http://420.thrashbarg.net/mcnaughton-fine-art-one-nation-under-god-parody-jesus-cthulhu-blood-monsters.jpg) :D
I love the expression on Satan's face in this one. He's all :eek:

[Typo Negative]

Talk about one trick ponies.

[Balance]

Talk about one trick ponies.
...and now I'm picturing a ponified parody, with the "damned" side standing around on the moon.

[buckgully]

I prefer "One Nation under Cthulhu" (http://420.thrashbarg.net/mcnaughton-fine-art-one-nation-under-god-parody-jesus-cthulhu-blood-monsters.jpg) :D

Wait, what what?

Dammit. Someone already ninjaed my parody concept.

(puts down wacom pen, quits photoshop)

[joebuck20]

...and now I'm picturing a ponified parody, with the "damned" side standing around on the moon.

With the pony setting fire to the Constitution?

[Little Nemo]

McNaughton's good but he's no Jason Heuser (http://www.etsy.com/shop/sharpwriter?ref=seller_info).

[Zebra]

I prefer "One Nation under Cthulhu" (http://420.thrashbarg.net/mcnaughton-fine-art-one-nation-under-god-parody-jesus-cthulhu-blood-monsters.jpg) :D


Finally something for my Facebook Timeline photo.

[AK84]

Ok no disrespect meant to anyone of religious belief but am I the only one who finds this image (http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/page/view_collection/Most%20Popular/355) seriously creepy.

[Ulfreida]

You know what this shit reminds me of, ironically ? The wave of "realist" art in Soviet Russia under Stalin, with allegories so subtle they might as well have been delivered with a sledgehammer.

It's fascinating, really.

Why ironically?

[Balance]

With the pony setting fire to the Constitution?
Nah, I'm picturing the kid poking the Constitution being replaced by Spike, so it would be burning with dragon fire while Celestia held it.

[joebuck20]

McNaughton's good but he's no Jason Heuser (http://www.etsy.com/shop/sharpwriter?ref=seller_info).

That's freakin' hilarious. I especially like the one of Abraham Lincoln as Neo from "The Matrix."

[Polycarp]

I don;t know if anyone else noticed, but Jon McNaughton's imagery in some of the more overtly religious sections ("Church History" in particular) is Mormon/LDS. Just for what relevance that may be to the issues here....

[C3]

I don;t know if anyone else noticed, but Jon McNaughton's imagery in some of the more overtly religious sections ("Church History" in particular) is Mormon/LDS. Just for what relevance that may be to the issues here....
He states in one of those pictures that he's Mormon. It's the one with Jesus Christ on the cross and all the religious figures all around him. Joseph Smith (founder of LDS) is among them and if you scroll over, McNaughton says in that blurb that he's LDS.

[Slithy Tove]

information for the painting "Wake Up America"

"Every man, woman and child in America is enslaved to our national debt."

two clicks later is where you fill in your credit card information.

[Latro]

He states in one of those pictures that he's Mormon. It's the one with Jesus Christ on the cross and all the religious figures all around him. Joseph Smith (founder of LDS) is among them and if you scroll over, McNaughton says in that blurb that he's LDS.

He has a whole series of paintings on LDS temples. All his work, some of it quite nice I would say, breathes Mormon.

But what I can't understand is what Christians, of all people, would have against socialism. Christ himself is very much a Socialist (avant la lettre).
I mean the rich can't enter heaven, everyone was socially equal to him, everything was shared, no posessions etc...

Do they see socialists as competitors or something?

[BigT]

Why ironically?

Because the title indicates that the painting is supposed to actually be a condemnation of socialism?

[Gorsnak]

But what I can't understand is what Christians, of all people, would have against socialism. Christ himself is very much a Socialist (avant la lettre).
I mean the rich can't enter heaven, everyone was socially equal to him, everything was shared, no posessions etc...

Do they see socialists as competitors or something?

We're not saying they're good Christians. :)

Google up Prosperity Theology, and weep.

[Zsofia]

I just put up the Abraham Lincoln riding a grizzly bear one, actually.

[Nava]

We're not saying they're good Christians. :)

Google up Prosperity Theology, and weep.

Hey, other-Europeans, remind me how to say socialcristiano in English please?

Many if not most Cristians have nothing against what the Americans call "socialism". We're all for it, actually.

[Tom Scud]

Hey, other-Europeans, remind me how to say socialcristiano in English please?


Not a European, but I suspect you're looking for the "social Gospel".

[BrainGlutton]

Not a European, but I suspect you're looking for the "social Gospel".

Or "liberation theology."

[BrainGlutton]

Many if not most Cristians have nothing against what the Americans call "socialism". We're all for it, actually.

What Americans call "socialism" is what Euros call "social democracy." What Euros call "socialism" is something that has not been a topic for serious discussion in the U.S. since the 1930s.

[gamerunknown]

Either that or "Liberation Theology".

Edit: Ah, beaten to the punch.

Was going to point out that there's a book called "Jesus Was a Capitalist" which is presumably based on trivial details such as the analogy of the servant collecting interest (obviously referring to spiritual interest) or his receiving gold from one of the three magi (because gifts received as an infant must indicate a rational actor seeking to abolish fiat currency).

By the way, there's an interesting thread on Something Awful where the Cthulu parody is from (thought it may have been a Photoshop Phriday), found out about Kelly cartoons there too.

[BrainGlutton]

He states in one of those pictures that he's Mormon. It's the one with Jesus Christ on the cross and all the religious figures all around him. Joseph Smith (founder of LDS) is among them and if you scroll over, McNaughton says in that blurb that he's LDS.

:eek: A Mormon knocking socialism?! What a fucking hypocrite! (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=645396)

[kaylasdad99]

information for the painting "Wake Up America"

"Every man, woman and child in America is enslaved to our national debt."
Of which there was none before 01/20/2009, right, McNaughton?


:rolleyes:

[Little Nemo]

Of which there was none before 01/20/2009, right, McNaughton?McNaughton addresses that issue. He "It is not a partisan painting. I take no favoritism of Republicans or Democrats. Both parties are guilty."

It's just that he doesn't know how to paint Republicans.

[Steve MB]

I just put up the Abraham Lincoln riding a grizzly bear one, actually.

What I want to see is a McNaughton rendition of George Washington, twelve feet tall and made of radiation.

[joebuck20]

What I want to see is a McNaughton rendition of George Washington, twelve feet tall and made of radiation.

So, a Dr. Manhattan version of George Washington?

It'd be interesting to see whether or not McNaughton would leave anything to the imagination. But judging from his other works, subtlety doesn't really appear to be his thing.

[FordPrefect]

Hey, in the earlier painting Jesus had the Constitution...how did Obama get it away from him?

Jesus was too distracted "suffering the little children to come unto himself" to remember where he left it.

[Jeep's Phoenix]

What I want to see is a McNaughton rendition of George Washington, twelve feet tall and made of radiation.

Jesus was too distracted "suffering the little children to come unto himself" to remember where he left it.

That's OK! George Washington will save the little children (but not the British children).

[Latro]

That's OK! George Washington will save the little children (but not the British children).

And certainly no Iroquois!

[saoirse]

Hey, other-Europeans, remind me how to say socialcristiano in English please?

Many if not most Cristians have nothing against what the Americans call "socialism". We're all for it, actually.

Christian Socialist?

[brossa]

That's OK! George Washington will save the little children (but not the British children).

He's coming. He's coming. He's coming.

[silenus]

He's coming. He's coming. He's coming.

And that, kids, is how George Washington became the Father of his Country.

[Kobal2]

Why ironically?

Because this guy seems to have a hard-on against all things "socialist" (for Tea Party values of the word socialist). Yet he makes propaganda art in the style pioneered by actual socialists. Irony.

[Jeep's Phoenix]

He's coming. He's coming. He's coming.

And that, kids, is how George Washington became the Father of his Country.
Yes! He had two sets of testicles...so divine.

[buckgully]

In case anyone isn't getting the numerous George Washington references:
http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=l7iVsdRbhnc

(broke the url because it's potentially NSFW, if you work with people who are dead inside and/or British)

[Archergal]

In case anyone isn't getting the numerous George Washington references:
http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=l7iVsdRbhnc

(broke the url because it's potentially NSFW, if you work with people who are dead inside and/or British)

I know context is for the weak, but thanks for the reference!

[septimus]

Here's a version with better mouseovers (http://www.shortpacked.com/McNaughton%20Fine%20Art.htm)

:cool:
Kudos to you, sir, if that's your work.

[Little Nemo]

Kudos to you, sir, if that's your work.If Larry Borgia is David Willis, then kudos for him for his other work as well. Your willingness to make jokes about Ronald Reagan, Jesus Christ, homosexuality, incest, and ninjas in a webcomic about children's toys is inspirational.

[smithsb]

"OK, how could McNaughton be so ignorant about Charles Darwin and "Origin of the Species?" Yes, I have read the book and yes I do believe in many of the theories it espouses. What?! No, I don't' think the book should be burned and kicked out of the school curriculum. Some of the rebuttals I have heard in regard to this subject in my painting are unfounded. I believe that this book is a standard that the left uses to push Christianity out of the Educational Forum. I believe that we need faith in our schools. I believe that I did not evolve from an ape. You may disagree, but that is how I feel. Do I believe Evolution should be taught? Yes. Should Christian thought or any other religion be allowed to be discussed without reservation? Yes, as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others.

Above from his third person response to critics/liburrrals on the "Christ
w/Constitution" velvet wonder. Note how he claims to have read the book and then talks about not evolving from an ape. Nowhere does Darwin claim "we" evolved from an ape.

[mister nyx]

Gettin' down just for the funk of it.

♫

[jjimm]

(broke the url because it's potentially NSFW, if you work with people who are dead inside and/or British)I'm British and LMFAO at that.

[Frank]

Note how he claims to have read the book and then talks about not evolving from an ape. Nowhere does Darwin claim "we" evolved from an ape.
You'll note that he does not deny evolving from a mouse, or a shrew, or a mole.

[foolsguinea]

Hey, other-Europeans, remind me how to say socialcristiano in English please?

Many if not most Cristians have nothing against what the Americans call "socialism". We're all for it, actually."Christian Socialist," like the center-right Bavarian party.

Actually, that will be my new mantra: "'Christian Socialist,' like the center-right Bavarian party." I will make gringo heads explode.

[foolsguinea]

I know context is for the weak, but thanks for the reference!I think I've seen that before, but forgot it. Wow, this thread's posts seem much less creative now.

[Gukumatz]

So, a Dr. Manhattan version of George Washington?

It'd be interesting to see whether or not McNaughton would leave anything to the imagination. But judging from his other works, subtlety doesn't really appear to be his thing.

He does subtlety in the same fashion Oppenheimer does explosions.

[Gyrate]

McNaughton's good but he's no Jason Heuser (http://www.etsy.com/shop/sharpwriter?ref=seller_info).I'll see your Jason Heuser and raise you a Brandon Bird (http://www.brandonbird.com/kingofcage.html). LINCOOOOOOOOOOOLN!!!!

[Eutychus]

He's coming. He's coming. He's coming.

Hope he's not wearing a hoodie.

[Larry Borgia]

:cool:
Kudos to you, sir, if that's your work.I wish, but no. I think it's the guy who does the "Short Packed" web comic.

ETA: as confirmed by Little Nemo above.

[Little Nemo]

He does subtlety in the same fashion Oppenheimer does explosions.I'd love to hear McNaughton explaining one of his paintings.

"And Jesus there? He symbolizes Jesus."