NSFW: Justine Lai Paints Herself Having Sex with US Presidents

Justine LaiWhat is the meaning of modern art, anyway? Is it meant to shock and titillate? Is it meant to question the surroundings around us and start a conversation? Even if art as a whole isn’t meant to make a statement, I’ll present to you the works of Justine Lai anyway — a San Francisco based artist who just happened to create Join Or Die, a series of NSFW oil paintings of her having sex with every single US President in chronological order. (As of right now, she’s on Ulysses S. Grant slapping her ass.) Behold, her Artist’s Statement:

The presidency itself is a seemingly immortal and impenetrable institution; by inserting myself in its timeline, I attempt to locate something intimate and mortal. I use this intimacy to subvert authority, but it demands that I make myself vulnerable along with the Presidents. A power lies in rendering these patriarchal figures the possible object of shame, ridicule and desire, but it is a power that is constantly negotiated.

It’s a statement of self-sacrifice and anti-authoritarianism; never mind that every single heterosexual Asian man is wincing by his laptop because, oh hey, if the image of the Asian female against a white guy is an uncomfortable one to begin with, there she is giving head to Abraham Lincoln. (Ha ha, “giving head to Abraham Lincoln.” When am I going to ever say that sentence ever again?)

(Hat tip: Andy)

Thanks for rating this! Now tell the world how you feel - .
How does this post make you feel?
  • Excited
  • Fascinated
  • Amused
  • Disgusted
  • Sad
  • Angry

About Ernie

I'm the creator of 8 Asians and one of the editors. While I'm a regular blogger to the site as well, think of my role as Barbara Walters on "The View," except without the weird white hair. During the day, I'm a Developer for a major Internet company and live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've also been writing in my blog, littleyellowdifferent.com, for seven years.
This entry was posted in The Arts, WTF. Bookmark the permalink.