Vote By Aye ! ~ " Which of these portraits is more presidential? " ~ by Matti Allison

Saturday, 13 September 2008 17:00

 

Chicago, IL - Matti Allison, a Chicago Artist, explores the role of portraiture in contemporary life by inviting the public to vote for the official portrait painting of the next U.S. president.  Matti received several hundred votes on her web page, mattiallison.blogspot.com , for her paintings of Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.  Currently, voters are asked to select from portraits of John McCain and Barack Obama in answer to the question “Which of these portraits is more presidential?”

The artist describes her presidential portrait project as an intersection of a traditional subject: the portrait as a symbol of a head of state, and a reflection of media imagery of presidential candidates.  Matti used indirect sources in creating the paintings, including the internet, print media and television, paralleling the experience of the voting public, most of who learn about the candidate exclusively through mass media.  In this project, the public in turn selects which painting most successfully represents their concept of a presidential portrait in this media saturated age.

To cast your vote, visit :  www.mattiallison.blogspot.com.  No voter registration is necessary, just a fine eye for portraiture.

Matti Allison's most recent work, a portrait commissioned by the City of Chicago of the musician Larry Combs, is on view on the Chicago Riverwalk, at Wacker Drive and Clark Street in the Chicago Looks exhibition.   Matti studied Philosophy at the University of Michigan, and learned painting primary from the direct study of art.  She travels whenever possible to experience great works of art and to continue her artistic education.  To see more of Matti's work, visit : www.mattiallison.com   

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