ART OR DECONSTRUCTION

CANADIAN ARTIST USES SCREWS TO PAINT PRIME MINISTER

Toronto artist claims government funding cuts inspired him to use basic construction materials to create his latest art work. TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – February 26, 2009) – A lack of federal funding and understanding of the needs of the arts community has brought unexpected hardship on those whose livelihood depends on the arts, claims artist Viktor Mitic. A recent comment by Stephen Harper has aroused anger in the arts community. Author Margaret Atwood wrote :” It’s been suggested that Mr. Harper’s disdain for the arts is not merely a result of ignorance or a tin ear – that it is “ideologically motivated.” All children are born creative. It’s the lack of any appreciation of these activities that is not ordinary. Mr. Harper has demonstrated that he has no knowledge of, or respect for, the capacities and interests of “ordinary people.” Toronto artist Viktor Mitic describes his recent portrait of Stephen Harper: “These tough economic times exacerbated by a slap in the face by Mr. Harper have made me think harder about saving and survival – so I decided to use basic construction materials to create my portrait of Harper. I bought a sheet of plywood and 1500 screws from the local hardware store. Then I carefully screwed the details of the portrait of our P.M. onto this board. A friend suggested a name “Screw Harper” as an appropriate name for this piece.

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