Sketch of My Partner in Class

Human Facial Proportions Sketch

Art Critique 1/5/18

Sheridan Miller

January 5, 2017

Artist George Condo Artwork of Kanye west

Artist George condo composed of this art piece around 2010. Condo chose to inspire his portrait to famous rap artist Kanye west after visiting a studio session and hearing the loud bass of West’s song ‘Power’. The artwork as seen above has the same structural face of that of an African mask. Condo notes that that was one of the leading goals of the painting. The mask has large thick ears, 2 differently shaped eyes, and a total of 4 mouths that are all different in size, shape, and color. The mask is the skin tone of an African American and has an average haircut.

    In between the low Cesar haircut, the brown eye color, and the emphasis on the thick large ears show resemblance to the common features of an African American male. Both eyes being a different size reveal that Kanye west isn’t in an ‘average’ mood. One eye is large and fully opened with the look of rage centering the pupil. While the other eyeball is squinted in a way that appears to be happy and ecstatic. The four mouths centered are all different in one way or another. 3 of the mouths are white and one is a gold like color that resembles that of a tooth grill that many rappers often get upon becoming famous. The other` two mouths are straight and white and appear to be veneers that rappers as well as wealthy people get done to their teeth. However, the last mouth has tiny gaps in between the teeth that resemble that of a young child.

    The artist is trying to convey a sense of interpretation and awareness to his artwork and to the controversial artist Kanye west. Many people believe that Mr. West suffers from multiple personality disorder. The difference in the mouths, and the eyes could be an attempt to sympathize with this belief. At times many of the responses Mr. West gives to the questions he are asked are resentful and crazed while other responses are calm and collected. The eyes were merely based off of this interpretation.

   Based off of the interpretations, the details, the background inspiration, and the overall goal; the craftsmanship and the technique were well executed and successfully interrelated. In the midst of creating neat work, artist George condo correctly composed of this ‘abstract’ art of one of the most influential artist of our time. The painting sheds light on the societal pressures of being a black hip hop artist and communicates the idea of paying more of attention to hidden mental health issues. I personally am moved by this artwork because of my infatuation with Kanye west as a musician. This is most likely where my interpretation of the artwork stems from.