What 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)
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8 Comments to “NSFW: Justine Lai Paints Herself Having Sex with US Presidents”
Ed wrote:
it’s not, it’s just whoring.
Posted on 27-Mar-09 at 9:16 pm | Permalink
Confuse-Us wrote:
I’d like to see her depicting herself giving one of the presidents a fisting – Theodore Roosevelt maybe? Or even better George W?
Posted on 27-Mar-09 at 10:55 pm | Permalink
Jen wrote:
I’m told the purpose of modern art is to “provoke thought.” Unfortunately, most of modern art makes me think, “This sucks”.
I think Justine’s art is … interesting. Personally, as a US history buff– this is certainly an interesting take on the US presidents!
Posted on 27-Mar-09 at 11:16 pm | Permalink
Bo wrote:
I love it not necessarily because of the fine craftsmanship but the “Fuck You” implicit in this series. On so many levels Ms. Lai’s artwork flips social norms on its head.
1. Embracing her sexuality rather than allowing it to be usurped by men.
2. Poking holes in the untouchable legacies of US presidents and exposing them for what they all were a some level – horny men.
3. Throwing fuel on the perrenial “white guy-asian girl” non-controversy.
LOVE IT.
Plus, she’s super young – 23/24 and a recent college grad. How many of us were capable of creating something of this massive scale at such a young age? What a promising start for a young artist.
Posted on 28-Mar-09 at 5:30 am | Permalink
Jiz Lee » Presidential Lovers of Justine Lai’s JOIN OR DIE wrote:
[...] Ernie (who I met at Harry’s Oil Can at SXSW!) & 8Asians.com Posted in Art, [...]
Posted on 28-Mar-09 at 12:01 pm | Permalink
Kevin wrote:
Self sacrifice because she’s putting herself out there, and what un-anti-authoritarianism artist (haha) would paint himself/herself naked, with a naked president.
I think its good stuff.
but yes, super young like 22/23, from her website it looked like she graduated just 9 months ago and this is her first series of work right after she got out.
Posted on 28-Mar-09 at 1:14 pm | Permalink
connie wrote:
justine lai is a goddess.
this is fucking brilliant!
Posted on 30-Mar-09 at 1:58 pm | Permalink
Catherine wrote:
“…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…”
What a sexist and ridiculous remark. It looks like you decided to write about Lai’s art just to air your beef against interracial relationships, period. As someone who is in one, and whose relationship is based on love, trust and respect, I would hate to think that every time my fiance and I encounter a heterosexual Asian man, he is “wincing” on the inside.
I mean, I am so sorry. I had no idea that I was supposed to be putting my vagina on hold for Asian men. I did not know that one race holds the exclusive rights to my mind and my heart. I thought that relationships should be built on a foundation of trust and shared values, not on ethnicity. Silly me.
Posted on 17-Apr-09 at 12:00 am | Permalink
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