Artist challenging American values

Issue 

Changing Climate
Exhibition by Ron Guy
Cusp Gallery, 238 High Street Northcote
April 4-22
Phone (03) 9482 2731

REVIEW BY VANNESSA HEARMAN

Ron Guy is an artist and a shift worker, as well as the union representative on his job. He is a passionate supporter of civil rights, Western Sahara, East Timor and Green Left Weekly. This exhibition of his works will be opened by Terry Hicks, the father of Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks, and Australian Workers Union secretary Bill Shorten.

One of Guy's paintings is inspired by American Gothic, the iconic painting by Grant Wood that was celebrated as portraying US ethics, showing a farmer protecting the virtues of his daughter and the American way of life. By replacing the figures with Terry Hicks as the farmer and David Hicks beside him bound up in sensory deprivation gear, Guy calls into question the double standards of the US government when it comes to human rights. The image also graces bottles of wine from Prospect Wines as part of Green Left Weekly's "Shut Guantanamo" wine fundraiser. To purchase Green Left wine, phone the Melbourne Resistance Centre on (03) 9639 8622.

From Green Left Weekly, April 5, 2006.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.


If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.