Byzantium SecurityA political painting

Photorealism painting - Byzantium security

A quickly dashed off painting that makes little attempt to impress the viewer with painterly skills.

A low resolution image means Bert had to improvise when painting the faces.

Quite thin application of paint with the yellowish MDF board is visible at the edges of some forms.

Conceptual photorealism at its finest.

Dimensions: 47x70cm.
Painted: 2013.
Materials: Acrylic on MDF board.
Availability: Private collection.

The story behind Byzantium Security

This image was sourced from a relatively low-resolution image which popped up on the internet. It is such a profound image Bert Ernie managed to complete the painting within two weeks of its first appearance on Twitter. It speaks volumes for the state of the capitalist world.

It soon became apparent that the Byzantium security advertisement was for a TV show about spies. Regardless this is another of his political paintings which are primarily conceptual as well as realistic.

The idea of the wealthiest 1% being the only people that matter is genuinely offensive for an anarchist like Bert.

Note: This is the only painting Bert Ernie has ever signed. Look at the top right-hand corner, and you see his birth name – Mark Russell.

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