Deterioration of Mind

full title:
DETERIORATION OF MIND OVER MATTER

acrylic on canvas, 20"x28", 1973

One painting, entitled “The Deterioration Of Mind Over Matter” is a frightening picture of a decomposing human scull firmly ensconed on some devilish birdcage in which the raw gore of mans physical being lies lifeless at the base. The parting flesh of the scull is secured by a tromp-loeil safety pin. This is truly an image that could have been utilized in the former issues of “Tales From The Crypt”, in fact it brings to mind in its own scary way the imaginations of Edgar Allan Poe. The poem, “The Conqueror Worm” comes to mind immediately:


But see, amid the mimic rout

A crawling shape intrude!

A blood-red thing that writhes from out

The scenic solitude!

It writhes! - it writhes! - with mortal pangs

The mimes become its food,

And the angels sob at vermin fangs

In human gore imbued.

Excerpt from the critique by J. Brooks Joyner, Editor Visual Arts, The Albertan, Saturday, May 29th, 1976

Listed here: 25 Disturbing Art Pieces That Challenges People’s Sanity list25.com/25-disturbing-art-p…


Prints available here (actually, my best seller): otto-rapp.pixels.com/featured/…