Analysis of a Painting: Systems of Control

This piece looks at a number of different ways in which we are coerced, controlled and manipulated from this earthly realm as well as other more subtle realms. Often I leave my art open to interpretation, however this one coalesced into a more definite subject. It is oil on plywood.

Systems of Control, Michael Parkinson. 2009.

Starting at the top we see a figure with a catholic style hat representing modern religions, his hands restricting the tied up women at the center. On the left there is a primitive figure representing the more ancient forms of religious control.

On the right is a Victorian gentleman with what looks like a hitler-esque moustache, he represents the rigid control society as a whole can impose with antiquated value systems.

Bottom-left is a man with a large stylised heart-form across his chest, he is young and passionate and wants to change the world for the better but is held back by a large figure holding his head. This represents the mental programming we endure from birth, growing up in a western society that teaches us we are insignificant accidents of evolution on an inconsequential speck in the universe. What can we as individuals do?... Don't upset the apple cart, there are wiser, more important people who know what they are doing so don't trouble yourselves..it's futile anyway.

Looking closely the large figure also has someone's hand reaching over his head, as if the controller is (possibly unknown to him) also being controlled from another layer.

Over on the right is a blue boy, I don't think he really is part of the story, but the spirit of a boy that drowned near where I was painting who just popped up...

Next to him is a geometric headed figure holding an ethereal monkey and reaching out to touch the head of another figure who is reaching down to touch the photographer...The golden glow could be relating to money, an alien concept introduced from far away.

The photographer is taking pictures of a naked lady, she is controlled by concepts of beauty and self worth imposed from without.