'Black Christ' (44" x 60") limited edition print by Paul Baines depicts Barack Obama as Christ. This work deals with the rise of the political icon as celebrity in modern history. The process of emancipation and martyrdom of the worldwide mass-media.
The hopes and fears of an inauspicious geopolitical geo-culture; reared on fear and controlled by social fragmentation, re-engaging with the ancient practices of organised religion and its symbolic ceremonies to enshrine all positions of power, be they political, economic, or mere celebrity.
'Black Christ' is available as print or printed canvas. Black and white vector illustration. Dimensions: 44" x 60".
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I love the concept as well as the image Paul…
I have added your blog to the directory…
let me know which image you would like to include…
visiting and reading your post here. thanks
Interesting concept. I don’t think Obama falls in to the category of a savior, although we will have to wait for the election results and see how he fairs in office if elected. I like the thought provoking image.
Black Christ by Paul Baines…
Black Christ – first in a series of indoor street art pieces by venerated UK artist Paul Baines. 44″ x 55″ limited edition canvas prints depicting US presidential nominee Barack Obama as Christ. Envisioning a new media martyr in a world of celebrity-…
I was referring to the media’s portrayal of Obama, and in particular to the metaphorical crucifixion which will follow should he succeed in the forthcoming elections. A president like many others in a position of power is given a public period of grace, a journalistic ‘honeymoon period’.
However, the media are in the business of creating and destroying cultural icons, if their chosen subjects no longer draw interest and thus advertising revenue, the media will dismantle their creation publicly and almost certainly with as much venom as possible. Negative headlines draw far more audience and thus revenue than positive reporting.
The media is bias to the right and left, and invariably switches sides to maintain its own popularity. The only religion that still maintains the attention of the mass is politics, politicians have the ultimate say over our freedoms, collective destiny, economic strategy, and many other aspects of our individual lives. The presidential system has become a process of global media influence and a servitude to the generic, the over-simplified, and to put it bluntly, a quick fix for the nation’s woes.
[...] machine – hence the nickname The Iron Lady, and Hilary wouldn’t have been so bad a backup if Obama hadn’t sailed through the nominations, but come on, pro-abortion, guns, anti-Russia, [...]
Hilarious Obama/McCain Roast
Obama has won! Yet already the international news coverage has begun to ask the very same question I have with this piece, as a reporter at the BBC continues to ask the those celebrating the win, ‘Now that Obama is President, won’t the expectations of the American public be stratospheric?’. My answer is yes, it is an amazing moment in history, but the world economy is still in turmoil, we are entering a potential economic depression, the troubles in the Middle East continue, Africa continues to starve, the world and the USA are in the worst state for decades. One man cannot perform miracles, let alone instant ones. No matter what happens now I am glad that Obama has won the US elections, as many across the world will agree, I just hope that those who so believed in him will now show him the patience he so deserves. Repairing a country, putting the world to rights, finding solutions to all the troubles that face Barack will take time, a long, long time. So I ask, all those who support him, and all those who do not, reserve your judgement, the media have a habit of turning the tables, don’t let them, stay focused on the day-to-day, as I am sure the new President of the USA will do, he faces a mammoth task, I only hope the world will maintain a sense of perspective as Obama prepares for Government. The light of day can be a cold and hard one, be prepared for the worst of times before the best of times can follow.
This is spot on.
As an afterthought, it would have been perfect if this was available on a t-shirt.
Thanks for your visit! I agree with you on Obama.He’s facing a hard period in history.But what has been achieved will stand,his election.From Portugal I followed the election process since January and it was very interesting in several aspects.Your country and President allways played an important role in the world issues. So many times in the past we wish we could also vote along with you, not just this one time!!:-) I hope he does his best so that America can have a better future!
What scares me is that people actually think he is God. He terrifies me and I hope he does not get re-elected.
I have always been right of center, a fiscal conservative and socially liberal. However, when experiencing the mess that the Bush White House has made of everything, I voted for Obama. He is not God, but this is the time for some dramatic changes, not just in the US but around the world. I am also tired of the US’s (I live in the US) “better than thou” arrogance. It’s time for a little humility.
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Indeed Mel. It IS time for a change. I too voted for Obama. I dont really see him as a “savior”, though time will tell. I hope he does make some drastic changes, and hopefully induces a little humility.
this is a beautiful concept, very traditional.
I think Obama will prove his point and will be the best president of America…
I hope he does something good for America and I am really waiting for his presidency…
What’s more he is the first black president…
If I think about how Jesus was almost a fad during his time, I see the connection most clearly. To me this points out how Jesus and Obama are saviors in that they provide(d) a hope that wasn’t present before. It made me think about things. Thanks.
Very interesting illustration! In the midst of crisis one always grasps the hand that promises hope . Personally I feel Obama personifies it , but then only time will tell !
Sadia’s last blog post..Escape
Thanks for your input Sadia – only time will tell.
[...] be a valid statement of intent, artistically speaking of course? Anyway I’m considering a Black Christ transfer printed on a toilet seat, and Reigning Men on a chest of drawers for two, but who knows, [...]
I completely see what you mean in your above comment regarding the media eventually ‘crucifying’ Obama despite praising him left and right during the election. I truly hope that he can live up to his promises and goals because it’s a long way to fall if he doesn’t. The American people (and even the people of the entire world) rely on him to just fix everything. If he doesn’t they will be quick to blame.
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[...] first one will be a reworking of Black Christ, and when I’ve printed 100 I will be removing it from Imagekind.com so if you’d [...]
I love this Black Christ Obama piece!! just noticed it + that is Brilliant!! I was just telling somebody this morning that I don’t believe in god but Obama is truly a gift from god to the Whole World!!
) Peace*
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[...] of cleaner screens) I am gunning to get on with my first limited edition silk screen print of Black Christ. In the meantime my ImageKind store will have a new edition in the next few days and I will make [...]
I don’t look at Obama like Christ, but this is still a great drawing. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Jordasche ,thanks for the comment. I don’t think Obama is Christ, but I do believe the media like to create martyrs.
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[...] You could study anything to do with minorities: Black, Latino, Asian and Women’s studies. It was a celebration of minorities. Being part of a minority was cool as hell. Especially when you could go around saying Nigga. I attended the ‘Struggles for Racial Justice’ class in my first term and almost felt shame for my enslaving, white Nazi history. And everywhere, Nigga this. Nigga that. But NEVER from a white person. Only Blacks and Latinos (They were an oppressed minority too, so they could also say it). It all felt like a breeding ground for reverse-racism. Pay-back time. ‘400 years of oppression’. You cannot believe how often I got to hear that one. Then I came back to Switzerland and went to see Lauryn Hill in Concert. It was like a Nazi rally. Endless racism directed towards a confused and mainly white audience. What the Fuck? I know there is Nazi music out there, but it’s not topping the charts. Then the whole music compilation thing began: ‘Black Soul Vol. 4′, ‘Black Love Songs 6′, ‘Black Beatz Nr. 3′, etc. I don’t know about you, but am I allowed to share the opinion that I find that a little awkward? Can you imagine ‘White Slow Love 1′? The shit would hit the fucking fan. Also, I would feel insulted if anyone called me ‘Germanic Swiss’. People of the US are all ‘Euro-Americans’ anyway… ‘Black Christ’ – Paul Baines [...]
[...] a rather different angle on the usual fawning we’ve all become accustomed to. After all I predicted no one, President or not, could live up to the massive hype Obama received. I really like the [...]