Acrylic on Wood Panel
18" x 24"
 
This piece is a commentary on our turn-and-burn pop culture, where society elevates partially formed people onto temporary pedestals. The body, modeled after the Venus de Milo—an idealized Greek sculpture missing arms, emphasizing physical beauty—contrasts with the scaled-down head, highlighting how appearance is often valued over intellect or meaningful contribution.
 
The crown symbolizes the fleeting power of attention and authority, granted by the gaze of the audience. The figure stands in the sacrificial light of the spotlight, illuminated by the sun in the top left corner, before being torn down for entertainment—the red splatter and the minimalist camera in the top right capturing their downfall. Beneath the white swoosh, the fleeting nature of fame is reflected in the snippet of a webpage article, reminding us that today’s icons are quickly discarded in favor of the next.
 
The work asks us to reflect on our complicity in this cycle: the pedestal, the performance, and the inevitable fall. It is a meditation on beauty, attention, and the impermanence of cultural obsession.