Sunday, August 15, 2010

art and identity - daniel edwards


presidential bust of hillary rodham clinton, 2006

Daniel Edwards (b. 1965, Indiana) is a controversial sculptor who often stirs up media with his celebrity depiction and criticism. his subjects includes britany spears giving birth, paris hilton autopsy, nadya suleman (octomum) and her babies, and hillary clinton and her low-cut dress.
According to CBC NEWS (www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2006/08/10/clinton-sculpture-bust.html) 'Edward has said that his intent was to show the 59 years old New York senator "not as a covered up person, but as a woman".'
casted in a classic style of portrait sculpture, to me, clinton seem to have the traditional emotion-less facial expression. Edward, however, describes "with her head held high, a youthful spirit and a face matured by wisdom". the supporting stone marked with the mimic of presidential seal shows that this is not just any portrait sculpture but a political one. clinton, with her sexual powers, pursuing for a turn in american presidency. i find the purpose of this work, and in most of Daniel Edward's work, quite ironic yet true to reality.

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