Thirty-three artists submitted concepts for the chance at a $20,000 commission to paint Arkansas’s official semiquincentennial work.
It was North Little Rock artist Barry Thomas’ piece that won the judges over. Credit: Arkansas Heritage
Thirty-three artists submitted concepts for the chance to paint Arkansas’s official semiquincentennial work.
It was North Little Rock artist Barry Thomas’ phosphorescent phantasmagoria, reminiscent of middle school girls’ magazine collages, that won the judges over. Was it the sneering Johnny Cash or the similarly sneering razorback that moved this one to the winner’s slot? The smarmy shouts-out to Walmart, J.B. Hunt and Tyson? The zombie horde of hog-callers or the stampeding racehorses with cattle heads ghoulishly grafted to their chests?
The chili-pepper palette and flashlight-to-the-eyes design would work OK on the tailgate of a Ford F-150, or on the side of a passenger van. Indoors, though? Under fluorescent bulbs? Time to bust those eclipse glasses back out.
Gov. Sarah Sanders gets a glowy, airbrush treatment mid-frame, possibly a political calculation by the artist that clearly paid off. Thomas had another thing going for him, too. He’s the brother of longtime Republican state Sen. Missy Irvin (R-Mountain View).
Shea Lewis and Marty Ryall, representatives from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, stand to the right of the painting. From left, state Sen. Missy Irvin poses with her brother, winning artist Barry Thomas, and a friend.
Credit: Arkansas Heritage
We can’t tell you precisely what’s happening right now at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, the state agency in charge of this contest, but we know it’s nothing good. The firing last month of longtime, well-liked Old State House Museum Director Daniel Cockrell brought out critics with insider knowledge who suggested tourism dollars and fealty to conservative politicians now take precedence over history, culture and aesthetics.
The Arkansas Times newsroom would like to nominate this atrocity to hang in a Taco Bell bathroom.
Admittedly, we’re haters, but we do have a decent eye. So, what do you think?
