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Marilyn Monrovia

Steve Justice Paintings Title: Marilyn Monrovia Material: oil on canvas Size: 42x30 Year: 2015 “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” -- Marilyn Monroe I have great sensitivity toward politics and culture in Africa, and I have learned far more about western Africa in particular through their fabulous music than through my frequent reading. One result of this cultural collision is “Marilyn Monrovia”, an exploration of African and Western beauty standards, shown here with evidence of globalization looming (unfinished) on the wall behind. The red could also be thought to refer to China’s African agenda. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but the decorative metallic and diamond border also refers to mineral exploitation of Africa. Re. the title, Monrovia is the capital of Liberia. Title: Marilyn Monrovia
Material: oil on canvas
Size: 42×30
Year: 2015

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.     – Marilyn Monroe

 

I have learned a lot about the politics and culture of Africa in general, and Mali in particular, through their fabulous, spiritual music, both as recorded and in Hong Kong nightclubs.  “Marilyn Monrovia” is an exploration of Western and African beauty standards.  Depicted here is evidence of colonization and globalization, looming unfinished (or eroded) on the wall behind.  The red might also refer to China’s African agenda.  Besides being a girl’s best friend, the decorative, metallic diamonds along the border also refer to the mineral (and general) exploitation of Africa.

About the title: Monrovia is the capital of Liberia.  Liberia did everything they could to please the US, including copying our flag and naming their capital Monrovia after a well-known American shock absorber company.  They were basically declaring colonial relations with the US in order to keep our European counterparts from declaring colonial relations with them.  The US was not particularly interested in Liberia, but we weren’t about to turn down a free colony.  Besides, some Americans ignorantly considered Liberia to be an attractive destination for the re-exportation of African Americans once they outgrew their usefulness as slaves.  Without consulting Liberia about the scheme, of course.  What the hell – they wouldn’t mind.

As one South Sudanese model put it, “True beauty is born through our actions and aspirations and in the kindness we offer others.  Beauty should not be culturally relevant.  It should be universal.”  She’s right — beauty standards can co-exist.  Why not? Who’s to lose?  Nothing gained, nothing lost, and nothing wasted, nothing gained.  Everybody wins, you see.  Except those who don’t hang on my every word.  Go ahead, do it – hang on my every word.  I won’t step on your fingers.  I promise.

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