There was one piece entered into this year’s Central Bank Art Competition that has garnered much attention and even news headlines. The piece called “Proven” was done by artist Everette Mackey and stunned many Bahamians with its very blunt and expressive depiction of Prime Minister Perry Christie.
We don’t know where to start! The Pinocchio nose, Hitler mustache and stance, crime and police tape wrapped around a hibiscus flower and what seems to be the Bahamian people, the “Believe in VAT” banner flying over the country, a cemetery in the back, the Chinese flag on his tie…geesh! Talk about expressive art. This piece addresses many of the social and economical issues Bahamians are faced with today. Based on a continuing debate on social media, for some, this piece is spot on and is a true reflection of our nation’s leader and the dire situation we are faced with as a country. For some it reflects the way Mr. Christie has “sold out” to the Chinese, the “lies” that have been become characteristic of Mr. Christie’s administration, the PLP tidal wave taking over the country, the crude, military, dictatorship, the perceived ill effects of VAT and among other things the death of our culture. The piece has been reshared thousands of times on social media and have garnered thousands of comments cheering him on, thanking him for his bravery and for “speaking the truth.” We looked, but found it pretty hard to find any comments bashing the artist for this piece of work. The Central Bank was also applauded for allowing to piece to hang on its walls. So what do you think; too wrong or right on point?