Bart on Coronavirus 2020

Editor: This work is titled "Bart on Coronavirus," made in 2020 using acrylic paint, by Ben Frost. It's quite a striking image – very graphic and intense, with a feeling of anxiety jumping right off the canvas. The way the artist has repeated elements and phrases creates a visual cacophony, but there's order in this, too. How do you interpret this work, from a more formalist perspective? Curator: Focusing on its intrinsic qualities, one notices the dynamic tension arising from the interplay between figure and ground. Bart's agitated expression, rendered in stark outlines, fights against the dense, repeating textual field behind him. Note how Frost deploys color – the acidic yellow dominates, heightening the sense of unease, while the strategic use of red adds visual jolts. Semiotically, how do we unpack the combination of Bart Simpson with slogans referencing both Coronavirus and McDonalds' 'McDisease', in an almost subliminal manner? The high-key colour adds to that Pop Art reference point. Editor: The layering is interesting. Is Frost trying to overwhelm us with information, like the experience of living through the pandemic? Curator: Precisely. The repetition of "CORONAVIRUS" and "100% PURE AMERICAN FAIL. PLEASE SHELTER IN PLACE." embedded in a fabricated advertising motif suggests a critique of consumerism meeting social anxieties. Consider, too, how the cartoon image – traditionally associated with lighthearted entertainment – is subverted to convey a darker, more unsettling message. Does the style help reinforce meaning in some way? Editor: Definitely. Seeing a familiar cartoon character expressing distress within a Pop Art framework makes the message more immediate and impactful. Thanks, it is interesting to deconstruct and see all these signifiers, it all contributes to making it so jarring. Curator: Agreed, that's precisely the point - and art!