"Bring It On"
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Monroe artist, Kenny Cole is having an exhibit at the Belfast Free Library of ink and watercolor drawings. This body of work reflects his increasing trend toward more overt political imagery and content. The title of his show comes from George Bush's now famous challenge to those who have been attacking troops in Iraq. "This posture" states Cole, "is a radical change for our democracy and in this election year will challenge the will and conscience of our people. The question remains as to whether this policy will in fact bring greater, or less, stability into the world." The drawings depict scenes and imagery wholly imagined, appropriated from the media and variously abstracted from somewhere in between. They give an overall impression of dissatisfaction and dissent, creating an iconography that references the underpinnings of one particular American way of life, by way of its religion, patriotism and consumerism. In short Cole seems to be critical of the present administration and the value system that supports it. Throughout all of these drawings is an ever-present trickle of oily black tears, puffs of smoke, amid chaotic watercolor and ink washes, stains and drips, all rendered in a wittingly na�ve and clumsy style. Kenny Cole, February 2004 "I love the way Kenny's art expresses itself...its political and social observations. He's got really powerful images, medium and message...I think he's really firing on all cylinders! More artists should be expressing themselves like this. His art is very accessable...it's got a good cartoon edge yet it's definately serious." - Mike Hurley, Mayor - Belfast, Maine March 13, 2004 Take the virtual exhibition tour
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