Capital Punishment - SOLD
Richard Mudariki (b 1985)
Capital Punishment - 2011
Acrylic on canvas
100 x 100 cm
Signed and dated bottom right
Sold - 2012
‘Capital Punishment’, inspired by Spanish painter Francisco Goya’s painting ‘The Third of May 1808’, portrays a man about to meet his fate. However, in contrast to the original work which sought to commemorate Spanish resistance to Napoleon’s armies during the occupation of 1808, this artwork addresses the continued rape and abuse of women and girls. The martyr in Goya’s work is replaced by a man caught red handed, exposed by the light shone upon him to uncover his deeds. Rape is the most grotesque form of violence against women, and in most African societies it originates from male dominance and cultural belief systems that degrade women. Horrific recent reports tell of the gang rape and sex slavery of a 17 year old girl by a group of youths. Will the protesting voices for women’s rights end this abuse or succeed in changing these beliefs and practices?