< Back | Home

Joel Pelletier shows just how big his 8-by-14 foot painting "American Fundamentalists (Christ´s Entry into Washington in 2008)" is.

Painting a political statement

Artist to lead panel on controversial artwork "Fundamentalists"

By: Trevor Kupfer

Posted: 10/18/04

Controversial artist Joel Pelletier combines politics, economics, media and religion in his latest work "American Fundamentalists (Christ's Entry into Washington in 2008)."

Students will have an opportunity to discuss with Pelletier when he opens a panel discussion on his work from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Davies Theater, Davies Center. The painting will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Skylight Lounge of Davies Center.

The panel also will include art history Professor Eugene Hood, anthropology Lecturer Jill Smith, and August Berkshire, president of the Minnesota Atheists.

The painting is based on James Ensor's work titled "Christ's Entry into Brussels in 1889." Ensor's work was never shown publicly because he directly ridiculed the officials in Brussels, Belgium and France. He depicted many recognizable people in a grotesque style, making fools of themselves in a celebration.

"Expressionism is intentionally crude and gestural with emphasis on quickness," Hood said. "Expressionists tried to get the images in their soul and head out before it left them ... kind of a form of catharsis."

Ensor's message in his painting is that even if Jesus came back, people would be more interested in how greatly the event impacted them, rather than the fact that Christ had returned.

"I've received a lot of flack about mine too," Pelletier said. "Many don't want to be associated with it because of its religious connotation."

The panel is sponsored by the Progressive Student Association and College Freethought Society. Junior Andrew Werthmann, president of PSA, said they decided to sponsor the event because they are focused on activism and social change.

"We thought it would be good to show someone who does activism through art," he said.

Fundamentalism's basic message, Pelletier said, is that there's one way to do something, an idea he called both anti-American and anti-democratic.

Pelletier's painting contains 121 recognizable figures, such as President Bush, Rush Limbaugh and Mel Gibson, in a similar celebration to Ensor's depiction. The cast of characters can be seen at www.americanfundamentalists.com.

"I wanted everyone to be recognizable to those who keep up with current affairs," he said. "The painting forces some of these people out there."

Hood said the painting is intriguing, interesting and obviously provocative. "I'm interested in finding out what moved him to do this," he said.

The painting asserts that the figures have contributed to fundamentalist activities and brought society to where it is now.

"They've gotten us to a brink that in four more years it could be this bad," Pelletier said. "If that is the case, there's going to be an Armageddon and Jesus will come back."

The aspect Pelletier wanted to emphasize most was that people who view the painting should not feel intimidated or challenged.

"I'm not here to challenge or attack your religion; I want to present what I believe is going on. It's currently threatening government, democracy and our civil way of life," Pelletier said.

The painting is 8-by-14 feet.

"It's big because there's so much in it," Pelletier said. "It's complex, not one idea - it's deliberately sophisticated. I did this to represent what art can still be instead of just pretty pictures."

Senior Wendy Lyman of the College Freethought Society said Pelletier's work and discussion will make students more aware of fundamentalism in our society today.

"It should allow students to make more informed decisions about politics," she said.