Anathema Painting Two: Chairman Mao, Large oil portrait of Mao

Anathema Painting Two: Chairman Mao. 154/109cm, oil on canvas, 2017. Artist: Gordon Carter.
 
The Art of Gordon Carter: A Series of Double Portraits
 
Gordon Carter, a British-American artist, has dedicated his career to exploring the intersection of social and psychological issues within the individual and society at large. His work, often created with oil paint, is characterized by a conceptual approach that aims to use art as a tool for social change and to improve the individual's life experience. He has received several national prizes and his work is held in numerous public and private collections across Europe and North America.
This series of extra-large double portraits is a remarkable example of Carter's artistic philosophy. In these paintings, he focuses on ten extraordinary figures from world history, each of whom deeply impacted the destiny of their country.
Rather than a simple, single likeness, the artist employs a layering technique, combining multiple images of each figure to create a complex and thought-provoking composition. This method serves to tell a deeper story, suggesting the coexistence of contrasting mental states, or "dissonance," within the subjects. By uniting these disharmonious elements, Carter presents a new, unified perspective on the individuals who shaped our world.
These ten paintings are more than just beautiful additions to a collection; they are a profound invitation to reflect on the legacy and inner life of history's most impactful personages. They are a testament to Carter's belief in the power of art to provoke thought and inspire a deeper understanding of human nature.