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Octafish

(55,745 posts)

82. This is the Art of Forest Gump

Sat Apr 5, 2014, 09:33 AM

Apr 2014

This is the Art of Forest Gump

The comedy of a naive self-portrait apparently helped humanise the man most responsible for the 2003 invasion of Iraq

Jonathan Jones
theguardian.com, Friday 4 April 2014 14.05 EDT

George W Bush has found that magic recipe for public redemption that eludes Tony Blair. Don't waste time on globetrotting missions and elder-statesman opinions that do nothing to appease people who see you as a liar and warmonger and think you should be arrested. Take up painting instead.

That gentle, civilised art can wipe away a surprising quantity of blood.

SNIP...

It's like being nice about the family idiot's latest art project. Aw, isn't that sweet, poor George has done paintings of world leaders. He's putting them in his little museum. The soppiness is unmitigated: early online reactions blathered moist-eyed about him capturing Vladimir Putin's "soul".

His portrait of Putin actually looks like something you would find in one of America's trash-rich Salvation Army stores and buy to laugh at. It's got a classic amateur clumsiness and oddity to it. Bush has attempted to render shadow and shape in stylish blocks of fawn and woodchip and cookies 'n cream, but they don't sit right and the whole head looks mildly crazed. Perhaps this mad look is what is meant by revealing Putin's "soul", but it seems inept rather than insightful.

CONTINUED...

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/04/george-bush-paintings

PS: I've seen your art via DU, SoCalDem. I'd bet at age 8 you also exhibited the talents of an artist.

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My EYES! [View all] Octafish Apr 2014 OP

I wouldn't line my bird cage with them Autumn Apr 2014 #1

That should be the official review. Octafish Apr 2014 #5

I would FiveGoodMen Apr 2014 #11

It would be animal cruelty. GoCubsGo Apr 2014 #60

Are you sure the bird wouldn't enjoy shitting on Bush? FiveGoodMen Apr 2014 #62

Sure, but who knows what kind of crud is on those things? GoCubsGo Apr 2014 #71

I was about to say the same thing. nt Bonobo Apr 2014 #73

MOBA might take them after the empty libraries are closed Warpy Apr 2014 #51

Personally, I would happily JEB Apr 2014 #67

Well I would too, but I think it would be cruel to force my birds to. Autumn Apr 2014 #68

I would malaise Apr 2014 #103

I'd like to see him paint the inside of a prison cell. calimary Apr 2014 #2

That is an excellent suggestion. Octafish Apr 2014 #6

When you have money and connections, you get to be whatever you want in the US siligut Apr 2014 #3

Absolutely. Octafish Apr 2014 #8

So glad to get a chance to keep this link. Great 'toon, as well. Thank you. n/t Judi Lynn Apr 2014 #117

He's just as qualified to have his own art exhibit as he was to be president. Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2014 #4

Well said, Gidney N Cloyd. Octafish Apr 2014 #10

The sad part mc51tc Apr 2014 #7

Meals of bread and water and hard labor for the rest of 43's natural days... Octafish Apr 2014 #12

Disgusting. Solly Mack Apr 2014 #9

They stink, too, of sulfur. Octafish Apr 2014 #14

Worse. They're complicit in the cover-up. Solly Mack Apr 2014 #16

obstruction of justice questionseverything Apr 2014 #55

gag trusty elf Apr 2014 #13

I love you. Solly Mack Apr 2014 #17

Now THAT's Art. Octafish Apr 2014 #18

Perfect, just perfect SummerSnow Apr 2014 #19

brilliant Norman Rockwell style nt grasswire Apr 2014 #27

LMAO!!!!!! This is the best!!! I love you too!! BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2014 #29

Oh, gawd, that's wonderful! Warpy Apr 2014 #52

Would that be Moron "Rockwell"? calimary Apr 2014 #72

The pretzel is a nice touch Blue Owl Apr 2014 #78

Classic. Thanks! LibDemAlways Apr 2014 #106

That is awesome! n/t mockmonkey Apr 2014 #113

It's repulsive he gets a gallery opening and press for that trash. Avalux Apr 2014 #15

Damn lib'rul Media!!! blkmusclmachine Apr 2014 #23

This guy should have a show at a few Presidential Libraries. Octafish Apr 2014 #38

The "Gallery" is the GW Bush library... SomethingFishy Apr 2014 #122

Hitler was an artist too Ichingcarpenter Apr 2014 #20

If he could have, he would have taken everybody else with him. Octafish Apr 2014 #39

Worse than Hitler! Crabby Appleton Apr 2014 #21

Did more harm to the nation -- destroying liberty and justice, impoverishing the middle class... Octafish Apr 2014 #41

Please reconsider this demwing Apr 2014 #92

Why should people walk away from the truth? Octafish Apr 2014 #97

All of that is true, but none of it makes him worse than Hitler. demwing Apr 2014 #109

Did you know the bank Prescott Bush was a director of was seized for collaboration? jmowreader Apr 2014 #118

Yes, I was aware. /nt demwing Apr 2014 #119

Out, out, damned spot!!! blkmusclmachine Apr 2014 #22

That IS it. Octafish Apr 2014 #48

Classic use of bourbon & water colors LannyDeVaney Apr 2014 #24

George W. Bush's Story About Vladimir Putin's Dog Explains So Much Octafish Apr 2014 #50

My God! llmart Apr 2014 #25

Like Midas of Feces. Octafish Apr 2014 #57

The emperors new clothes liberal N proud Apr 2014 #26

After 9-11, even DUers were falling over themselves to worship the ground the drunk walked on. Octafish Apr 2014 #58

Well, you know who else was a crap painter... geardaddy Apr 2014 #28

There are similarities of style. Octafish Apr 2014 #64

damn unionthug777 Apr 2014 #30

Velvet Smirko may bring accomplished missionary relief. Octafish Apr 2014 #85

thanks octafish unionthug777 Apr 2014 #95

Peace, my Friend. Peace. CLICK. Octafish Apr 2014 #100

Paint-by-numbers bearssoapbox Apr 2014 #31

DU helps people remember the Truth about the Drunken Coke Whore n Thief. Octafish Apr 2014 #91

Nope. He's Awful. Leith Apr 2014 #32

Experts agree: Idiocy In Art and Politics Octafish Apr 2014 #121

bad art by illiterate trash? already covered MisterP Apr 2014 #33

Here's good art. Octafish Apr 2014 #94

More proof the elite are increasingly corrupt - and totally out of touch with reality. reformist2 Apr 2014 #34

The quote on the wall got to me. Octafish Apr 2014 #120

Wonderful... zappaman Apr 2014 #35

In what way? Octafish Apr 2014 #37

Never heard of Triumph, huh? zappaman Apr 2014 #47

No. I just don't give attention to the same things you do, zappaman. Octafish Apr 2014 #87

Yes, those paintings you posted were soooooooo important. zappaman Apr 2014 #102

They help reveal the pysche of a mass murderer who served as figurehead for the United States. Octafish Apr 2014 #105

Sorry I thought you were making fun of Dubya's paintings and joined in... zappaman Apr 2014 #111

Smear all you want. Octafish Apr 2014 #112

Well...Elmer Wayne Henley Jr remains the best murderer/painter in Texas Tom Ripley Apr 2014 #36

Maybe there could be a show? Octafish Apr 2014 #88

He's no Bob Ross. edbermac Apr 2014 #40

Absolutely. Big, Big, Big Difference for Me. Octafish Apr 2014 #90

I did like the Whisp Apr 2014 #42

Art that Tells Us Nothing at All Octafish Apr 2014 #101

Bush or Serial Killer John Wayne Gacy Yavin4 Apr 2014 #43

This feels like a gallery of Hitler's wallpaper being displayed at Auschwitz. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #44

Recalling another fail 'artist' xxqqqzme Apr 2014 #45

It's so funny, everything they say and do turns out to be the opposite. Rex Apr 2014 #46

I have nothing, at all, to really say about those without a human soul. K&R n/t bobthedrummer Apr 2014 #49

Maybe we could sell prints of those paintings.......as dartboards! LongTomH Apr 2014 #53

Junior Bush sure is a lucky fellow. democrank Apr 2014 #54

He's better than me but... ryan_cats Apr 2014 #56

Yuk. The Toady Show devoted time to this crap for two days. GoCubsGo Apr 2014 #59

It's a way to present a murderous war monger in a folksy manner. Jesus Malverde Apr 2014 #69

Look... Lady Freedom Returns Apr 2014 #61

I'm holding back judgement until the goat paintings are in view. L0oniX Apr 2014 #63

Did someone say goat? Octafish Apr 2014 #65

John Gacy was a painter too. Jesus Malverde Apr 2014 #66

Mass Murder compared with Genocide Octafish Apr 2014 #86

I'm with you 110% my brother! Jesus Malverde Apr 2014 #98

He's nowhere as good as Cecilia Gimenez. rug Apr 2014 #70

Criminal. Octafish Apr 2014 #75

That's all true, plus her intentions were good, unlike his. rug Apr 2014 #79

"Neanderthal Jesus" is a great way to describe * MisterP Apr 2014 #77

MAD did. rug Apr 2014 #80

Between the hideous art work and the BEYOND inane "motto" that whole wall needs to be blown up Number23 Apr 2014 #74

Who's the burn victim in the painting? bravenak Apr 2014 #76

The guy with no lips? Octafish Apr 2014 #83

Paint by numbers SoCalDem Apr 2014 #81

This is the Art of Forest Gump Octafish Apr 2014 #82

Wish he would have found his love for painting TBF Apr 2014 #84

his art of 'leadership' was to lead america into a disastrous, unnecessary war. spanone Apr 2014 #89

That is not even a good likeness of Pappy treestar Apr 2014 #93

The Charade in art polynomial Apr 2014 #96

They are all done in tempera paints. RoccoR5955 Apr 2014 #99

You know, my friend… when you think about it... MrMickeysMom Apr 2014 #104

The people who tried to overthrow FDR in 1933 had kids. Octafish Apr 2014 #107

I do believe you just linked one of the greatest threads from 2008, Octafish... MrMickeysMom Apr 2014 #108

Every. Day. Octafish Apr 2014 #110

...and SwampRat FlatBaroque Jul 2015 #123

Actually, I think W.'s painting is his strongest talent. DirkGently Apr 2014 #114

Good to see that George made it through the "Paint a Clown" class. Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2014 #115

K&R. I agree with you. Overseas Apr 2014 #116