War

2014.04.10
The final piece of my coursework, presenting the topic - War. 

I, myself, often use wordplay in writings. This time, I painted objects that could symbolize what War meant to me. 
Same as Peace, War is an illusion to me. They are simply just ideas that cannot live without one or another. 
Give an example of love and hate. How do we know what is love if we do not know what hate is? We cannot. 
Or an easier one; how do we know what does white look like when we do not know what black is? 
Even though War and Peace are contradicting ideas, they are dependent on each other. 

Many people have said similar things about "there can be no peace without war", but the root of it is an ancient Chinese proverb: "One cannot know peace without first knowing war."

I am no soldier, neither a politician nor a commander. 
I am nothing but a citizen that lives in non-democratic society. 
I am also an artist, a thinker and a history student. 

I will not say I understand the pain of being at war, or the guilt of losing men in a battle. 
As a human being I can only represent myself in the understanding of war. 

Here I'll explain some of the more obvious symbolization in this painting. 
This is first of all a self-portrait; reflecting this entire understanding of war was personal. 
The body position is similar to an infant, showing the connection - of a mother and her child - of being human, protected and protective. 
The nudity also means the vulnerability of being at war, no matter as being directly attacked in combat or as being collateral damage in war. 
The swords were taken reference from the Metropolis Museum, symbolizing the political power of domination over the military (The military don't start wars. Politicians start wars. - William Westmoreland). The inward and outward positioning means the damage to both friend and foe. 
The rope is one other huge symbol of war; War ties us in a positive and negative way. It unites us but also separates our people - seeing the difference of the rope from top to bottom. 
Poppies, of course represents the deaths of the war. Remembering the cost of war, yet it all ways fades away in passing decades. The fire burns the poppies, showing how the memorial always gets forgotten, and a new wave of political desire for war begins. 
It is only a loop.
The ravens, as meant to be, present death. From the first modern warfare that caused huge casualties - World War One - to the second war that almost caused global chaos. What comes next? I wonder. After zero, there must be one, and then two then three (an idea inspired by Metal Gear Solid 4). The three ravens represent the future warfare that we will face, even if it seems to be a peaceful period of time. 
Last but not least, the skull in the background. This was not initially planned to be here, but it was added anyway. It also presents death, yet the background is not the usual creepy black. 
Yes, the cost of war is dark but after dark there is always light. The white is the void of possibilities that we can rebuild and heal from the dark skull. 

War may be horrible, but it may also bring Peace. 

I hope more people treat art respectfully and not use them as a way of promotion. 
Emotions and ideas are important for creating great pieces. 

You are welcome to discuss your thoughts, but do remember I am only stating my understanding, not others. 

120cm*80cm
Charcoal, pastel, color pencil, pencil, watercolor on canvas.

Art © JGBishop24