Image: The Nightmare Before Nothing, ‘Follow The White Rabbit’

While his art may seem to carry a sinister ‘just for fun’ ambience, Papeschi’s concepts are drawn with a rebellious dark-inked spatter that seeks to blot out and parody American commercialism and capitalism. His designs almost exclusively feature Disney characters that are disturbingly – albeit comically – unhinged into caricatures of communism (see Daffy Duck as a ‘communistfuckingduck’), nazism (see Micky Mouse as a ‘nazifuckingmouse’), facism (see everything), and every other ‘ism’ that can be politically conceived. However, there are some exceptions: one feature explored McDonald as a US soldier in Baghdad donning fatigues and an automated assault weapon, while Papeschi’s ‘A Life Less Ordinary Series’ reinvents Life magazine covers every few years from 1917. On the cover of the 1932 publication a plastic grumpy Hitler mask-head is superimposed onto a petite dancing ballerina, while the 2008 edition showcases a happy Obama doll head glued to an American bikini-clad body holding the peace sign with a sea of graves in the background.
 

Papeschi’s creations are definitely disturbing, yet their complete annihilation of the politically correct might fascinate some observers. Many describe him as sick, but there’s no doubt that his art communicates a message. Disney characters and McDonalds are at the forefront of a wave of commercialism and a casual click through the pages of the Internet can reveal the extent to which people oppose this tide. With this in mind, works like Papeschi’s are becoming more and more relevant, and as boundaries begin to disintegrate artists are taking more risks in their work. We all crack controversial jokes that are sometimes followed by a ‘too soon?’, but it’s up to audiences to decide if Papeschi’s work is indeed too soon or if it is a justifiable means of critique.

Image: A Life Less Ordinary

Image: Ronald The Butcher Boy, ‘Greetings from Baghdad’

Image: Hirosihma Mon Amour, ‘Sold Out’

Image: Disneyland Under Attack, ‘American Wedding’

Image: Hiroshima Mon Amour, ‘That’s the Napalm Show!’

Image: Ronald The Butcher Boy, ‘Fashion Victim’

Image: Jesus Goes To Hollywood

Image: The Holy Spirit

Images: http://www.maxpapeschi.com/

Rob McLeod, a Glasgow born artist who emigrated to New Zealand has been developing his art since he began studying art in 1969. His latest collections feature grotesque figures in bright hues, twisted limbs and organs in an array of the most vivid colors.

Having begun his training in Glasgow, McLeod left after completing his degree due to the stricture on the art scene in Glasgow at the time. He moved from genre to genre, figurative, to abstract to splatter painting, but a love of experimentation and trying to avoid being pinned down to one type of art led to the “ Meet Mutant Mickey” series.

Featuring the well know Disney character or parts of him, interspersed with references from the artist’s life in frantic scene’s and figures that are painted on ply wood. The unconventional canvas has supports, making this art a fluid installation, and creating a tension between shape and color.

The artworks are a pastiche of frenetic  imagery, your eyes struggle to absorb the detail and references contained in these moving works of art. And why does he do it? As he explains in his youtube video, it makes him happy and he’s no good at anything else.

For more of Rob McLeod’s art click HERE.