My Digital Art

72 Virgins

Inspired by the pop art of Andy Warhol this piece alludes to the promise given to Muslim martyrs, or Shahids, regarding 72 heavenly virgins (Houriyahas) that supposedly await those who die for their faith.

The Arabic calligraphy in the background of the reposing nudes is the Hammas flag.

By bringing the realities of extremist Muslim terrorism to the forefront of our consciousness in a format that is pleasing to the eye, I hope to illuminate just how terrifying these realities actually are.

Some time back a Facebook friend of mine, Chris Nelles, made an observation regarding this print, that I couldn't phrase better myself:

"...I've had the "Warholesque" print in my head for two days now.

It is ironic in many ways.

I'm not sure I can express it in words, such is its subtlety. But consider that Warhol's images were shallow and without depth, expressing the complete abdication of thought and the compromise of art in the modern psyche. Color and form as simply that.

The light glittering on the surface of a wave.
Art as pop culture.
"Anti-art", if you agree that art's function is to infuse culture into those deprived of it.

So then you take this technique of ultimate laziness and cynicism, you take the abdication of art's true aim and you re-aim it at the purposes of true art, without abandoning the art denying expression Warhol exhibited and cashed out upon..."

Chris Nelles

I can only thank Chris for succeeding to express in words that which I cannot.

Exhibitions:

To get a feeling for the scale of this print at full size see 72 Virgins on display at my exhibition "Digital Zion" in Jerusalem or at the "Cannibal Flower Show" in Los Angeles.