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Kabul Vendor - final
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Published: 2008-11-07 02:32:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 8193; Favourites: 107; Downloads: 202
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Kabul Vendor, 2008Tempera on wood, 4' x 4'
Depicts my feelings - confusion and ambivalence - about the US involvement in Afghanistan. I have used egg tempera, the traditional medium of icon-painting, because I think of it and others like it as "icons," images intended for contemplation and moral edification. (Please note, my confusion about the outcomes so far in Afghanistan in no way diminishes my respect for and gratitude to the men and women of the US and NATO armed forces who have placed themselves in harms way in the service of their countries.)
This is a synthetic work, i.e. it is a composite based a number of photographs of Afghanistan taken from the Internet. It incorporates many of what seem like contradictions to me. In particular, 7 years after invading this country to 'liberate it from the barbaric grip of the taliban' (to paraphrase our soon to be ex-President, hurray), we still see women covered from head-to-toe in chadoor, and young girls (11 years old!) married to men 3 or 4 times their age to settle gambling debts and such.
(I know this a rant based on my Western ideas about human rights etc ... but those ideas don't seem like bad ones regardless of their source.)
I have uploaded a "key" [link] that maps out the different elements in the painting. I have also put some close ups in my "scraps" file. Comments will be much appreciated.
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Comments: 79
I really like the texture on the fabric and his beard.
Nice to see work where not only technique but also thought and feeling put into.
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Hi Gordon ! Congratulation on your "Kabul vendro", that is a master piece ! The way the old man looks at the spectator, as he didn't understand himself what was going on, the little woman in the back side, turning her eyes as she was secretely waiting for something or someone, the colors and shapes of the whole piece, everything contributes to create a strange atmosphere and a deep feeling of truth. That is very impressive !
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Thank you very much! Good luck with your work! Have a safe trip. Gordon
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This does have a feel that the image was not made in our time. I cannot place my finger on the style of the work but It has that classic feel to it. I like your use of vibrant color amongst the mostly neutralized. The detail in the background is amazing.
I think that the figure in the front could use more detail just to bring him out more. For instance the texture of his turban seems much like the texture in the hills. I think it needs a lil bit more to seperate the two. But that is my look on it.
I think this is well done. Do some more!
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Thanks for the careful look and the comments. I drew heavily on the style/technique of Orthodox icon painting. Had a chance to spend some time with a Bulgarian-trained iconmaker/restorer several years ago. I think of this piece and its predecessor, Tiger Mother, as icons, i.e. images intended to foster religious/moral/philosophical contemplation (which hopefully leads to action). If I was channeling that spirit I can only be grateful.
I made some pretty conscious choices about color - the colors in the terrain are repeated in the figures, and limited my use of non-earth tones to the poppy field, his turban, her clothes, and the clothing on the small figures on the path on the hillside on the right. oh and the sandals and mines. I actually wanted the central figure to look like he and the mountains were made of the same stuff. I take your point about the contrast, but in this case since he is a stand-in for Afghanistan I guess I achieves what I was aiming for. One of my first drawings, which I rejected as a little too contrived, involved an even more thorough blending of the topography and his features.
I will think some more about your point.
As to more, I have just started a portrait, 3'x 4', using the same materials and style, of the little girl - an 11 year old child bride wed to one of her father's creditors to satisfy a gambling debt - seated to the central figure's left. I will post it when it's done - in about 4 months.
keep up your own great work. (oh and btw, go CCR!)
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what a beautiful and deep portrait. speaks volumes. very well painted, and props for using egg based paints.
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loevly painting. I appreciate the way you composed it, with the demanding eye-contact from the foreground character, and the subkects behiond him giving you and impression of what his life it made up of.
For me, I saw the contradiction of the beauty of the countyr and the people on the right (a well-known spiritual/ religious symbol of right = good, holy/ sacred and left = evil) and on the left, the death and destruction, fields of blood marring the otherwise beautiful country full of so much history.
I have to dispute your worry at women wearing chadoor though. That is purely religious, and not all women wear it, only those who want to. I know many Afghani refugees here in New Zealand, as my mom volunteers with Refugee Migratory Service (RMS), and they choose what they want to do. And the children being married for debt isn't something that is widely accepted. In fact completely to the contradictory. It's abhorred, but some people get away with it because no-one can stand up to the males who perform these disgusting acts. Only the family and select few friends ever know of these transactions, and some try fight it, but the person getting the child has a lot of money to pay for opposers to shut up by violent means or whatever.
I worry that your understanding of things is marred by the media. Talk to the people if you want a proper understanding of things
And here is a guy right here on DA who I found to be very open-minded and clears up a lot of things to do with the occupation of Afghanistan. He is a British soldier in the war, but also an amazing photographer. [link]
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Kyreena, Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I am glad you found it interesting and thought-provoking. Those are among the nicest things you could say about my art.
I am sure you are right that there is much about Afghanistan that I do not understand. I don't doubt that some Afghan women choose to wear the veil. I can certainly understand a woman's choice to avoid the objectification of women that such a powerful force in many Western societies.
At the same time, religion has historically been pretty hard on women - equating them with temptation, sin, our animal nature (men in this scheme represent our higher/spiritual self). Women are too often held responsible for men's inability/unwillingness to control their own sexual appetites. Women must cover themselves because men can't help themselves.
Traditional religion has also tended to reinforce the idea of women as the property of men. Is it not the case that these same women would be severely punished if they allowed non-family males to see - their hair, ankles, upper arms?
My most recent information on the matter of child brides comes from Stephanie Sinclair's potent article in the NY Times Magazine. [link] I am sure that you are right that many people oppose such marriages. But it seems that they do go on some places quite openly.
Thank you again for your close reading of my painting and for your comments on it and my thinking. I have looked briefly at Rob Knight's website and will try to contact him soon.
Good luck in school and with your art-making.
Gordon
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Thank you very much for your reply 
All the best to you too 
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For some reason, this reminds me of the impressionistic style of Van Gogh. The scenery's detail/color gives the piece a classic look.
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Compared to van Gogh, wow! I'll take it. thx
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That is just dead on amazing. I love the dipiction in the background, the militant carrying around the Ak on his back, the civilian in the background. I love it. nice work well done.
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Amazing work. Very thought provoking too. If only more people realized that not everyone in the Middle East is a terrorist.
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thank you, I like your self-portraits
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thank you, you have some beautiful things in your gallery as well. I noticed your note about Islamic values, and certainly respect that.
Please educate me though, I thought that Muslims were forbidden to make images of humans, on the premise that only Allah can do that. Is that not the point of the two thumbs on 'Fatima's hand'?
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Hummm! 
OK, letβs try
The Islamic Art since it dawn, didnβt have to follow the leads of otherβs Art or Culture to fulfill the natural inner tendency of creating or inventing! It has taken a totally different path and found a vast outlet of the inevitable, in the field of Magnificent Architecture, pottery, weaving, jewelry, textile industry merged with calligraphy of verses of the Holy Qurβan.
The aspire is to maintain peace of mind and body amongst individuals and communities.
And that also applied on various other audible, visual or written genre of creativity
Conclusively, I can assert that, No, itβs not entirely forbidden to make images of humans, if within those agreeable, noble margins so the outcome might as well be one! More importantly is not to be made in defiance of the Almighty by arrogantly claiming that they could make an identical version of whoever as perfect as GODβs creation,! This is most particularly applied to Sculptor. And also It COULD BE OK, if the basic intention behind creating art is lawful and helps elevating the sense of purity and reforming public ill or poor taste!
However, there r 3 or 4 groups of Muslim people that r classified as hard liners or moderates or conservatives or ultra liberal!
consequently, each group/ State/ government would adopt what they believe itβs more sensible and precautious! Or convenient
I apologize for my lengthy reply but my English doesnβt help to use the (to the point terms)
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thanks for your thoughtful response. It is not too long for me. I think I am probably more educated than most Americans about Islam and its beliefs, but there is so much i do not know. As for your English, it is far better than my Arabic (which is limited to a few words).
Here is a link to what I know of as "Fatima's hand." [link] Perhaps this is just another example of Western ignorance of Islam.
I will have to think more about the substance of your reply. Thank you for taking the time and for your interest in my work.
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Sorry Gordon for my so belated reply but I was pretty wrapped up in figuring out the riddles of the CSS codes and symbols!
Iβm so pleased to know that u r the third deviant pal who happened to be educated about Islam, in addition of another friend who turned out to be Muslim who also knows some Arabic and in the process of learning, but he/she seems to not to disclose this info! Anyways, Iβve viewed the link of the photo and I
About the ignorance of Islam, I have to tell you that it was never entirely your fault, in fact and with all do honesty itβs ours! Oh, yessss 
Thank u very much for everythingβ¦.
C u around Gordon!
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Maha, Good luck with the CSS - its all Greek to me, as we say. (Although having studied some Greek, it would probably be more accurate to say it's all ... Chinese?)
My recollection is that it is a reference to THAT Fatima.
The failure of both the West and Islam to seek to understand one another has to be one of history's great tragedies. How many countless lives have been lost in the struggle of one or another to try to convert or eradicate the other in the name of God. As a person of Christian origins, now a Quaker, I deeply regret the belligerent actions taken in my name and in the name of my ancestors. So much time, so much talent, and so many resources are diverted from building what Quakers have called "the peaceable kingdom." It is my deepest hope that your people and mine (and Jews and Palestinians) can find ways to live in peace and justice, with or without the help of our governments.
Thank you for this wonderful, ongoing conversation. I do not know how else I would the opportunity for this kind of dialogue across so many miles and barriers.
Gordon
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mmmβ¦ I wish I could hope for real " peace" that based on justice, but unfortunately itβs very unlikely to happen as long as the key to the dilemma is in the pocket of most powerful State on earth that ultimately deny our just cause! The conflict is literally between Arabs and Muslim peoples βnot governments βand Zionism rather than between βJews and Palestiniansβ!! We have nothing against Jews as followers of Moses (PBUH) message! We r against the aggressive State of βIsraelβ that was established on blood and with the help of the infamous British Empire! Imagine urself giving a promise of something u donβt own to someone whoβs not worthy of it!
Dear Gordon, I really feel aggravated when I talk about this subject particularly by texting as it takes like ages to think and type! Besides itβs an endless complex discussion that cannot be covered especially in here
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I love how the amount of bright colours draws in the eye, though the picture itself is rather dark.
It is really sad how many people the US label as terrorists though. Heck, even their own people that just openly admit to the system having flaws. Things like that make me glad I'm not American, though I have to admit Canada is becoming more like the US every time the Conservatives win the election.
It is really great to see artists on here that make pictures with meaning instead of just pointless fan worship or other things that have little to no moral significance. (though some is practice and style tests, I'll admit and pretty nice to look at)
Every time I find myself questioning the worth of being an artist, pictures like these always seem to get to me. It inspires me in a way, even though, I have no clue how to fulfill those artistic cravings.
Great job, keep up the good work
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very trippy intense painting... i like the expression and your statement around the painting... i like that you painted it in egg tempera too... there is a strange silence, frozen moment in the painting...
check out my gallery if u get the chance :0)
peace-amanda
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Thanks for the comments and taking the time to notice things. The slow pace of tempera, prepping the panel takes days!, draws me into a contemplative space where time stops. Perhaps that is the silence that you hear. (It is no doubt also rooted in my long practice of silent worship as a Quaker.)
I did not see anything in tempera among the numerous great things in your gallery. Did I just miss it?
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Afghanistan is the graveyard of conquerors. A very evocative image.
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Indeed it is, Thx for checking out my work
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I know and you have to think about it...
What happens if i'm wrong and we leave?
In the case of Vietnam:
"...no comparison of Vietnam to Iraq will be very instructive unless two important realities are honestly acknowledged: 1) The U.S. had an enormous amount of success in Vietnam during the later years of our involvement there. And, 2) it was forces in our own country that undermined and ultimately squandered the successes achieved."
"The implication is that the war was lost during the Tet offensive. But militarily, as we know now, and contrary to most of the journalism of the time, Tet was a severe and costly defeat for the Communists. "
[link]
Very interesting read.
[link]
Another good read.
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I've been thinking about your comments and I'm not really sure where you're coming from.
I came of age during the Vietnam era. The parallel I see is our having blundered into a situation we only barely understood, and seeing the military part of the conflict as primary. Ousting Sadam was the prologue to an play of many acts. President Bush seems not to have understood that and so was unprepared to explain this to the American people. (I'm not sure he would have succeeded had he tried.)
I think the folks like Sorley who focus on the military aspects of that war miss the larger picture. The decision by the Western allies to deny self-determination to the Asian colonies after World War I and to reinstate the French in Indochina after World War II set up a very complicated and difficult situation. Coupled with the inability of Americans to differentiate between nationalists, who took help wherever they could find it, and Communist ideologues, American military forces where in an untenable position.
Sorley's point about Tet is in fact beside the point. The Vietnamese communist forces sustained a stunning military defeat, but an overwhelming propaganda victory. They mounted an attack that pinned down thousands of America's toughest, the Marines, at a time when the generals were saying they were a spent force. They were the "dead enders" of the 1960s. America's military and civilian leaders, then and now, squandered a politician's most precious resource, credibility. Little else matters once that's gone. Blaming the press then and now is merely shooting the messenger.
Thanks for your interest and thoughtful response. Gordon
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fantastic detailing. i'm loving the post-impressionist look.
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no, he is a street vendor, he sells stuff, but the guy in the background might be, we just don't know
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No, not everyone from Afghanistan is a terrorist.
Awesome painting by the way, I like the message. The style itself kind of reminds me of Van Gogh, that's actually why I clicked on this. And congratz on the DD!
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Nice painting....but I hate how this war has only made things worse than the Taliban rule itself. Not just in Afghanistan and Iraq but several other countries including my own. Murdering millions of innocents as collateral damage as vengeance for 9/11 is simply inhuman.
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Thanks for the comments! π: 0 β©: 1
I share your regrets about the horrific consequences of American vengeance and for what it's worth I apologize for my own personal complicity ... paying taxes and such that have the effect of supporting the war.
If I may, I would like to take advantage of having a correspondent in a country that is so profoundly effected by this war. I am always interested in compelling images that document the enormous strength and courage of the forgotten people in this and other conflicts. If you come across such photos ... (see some of my woodcuts and drawings for the kind of thing I mean, I prefer photos in which the subject is looking at the viewer), I would be very happy to receive them. Email and or links can be sent to me at
Thanks again.
I was planning on doing some related artwork too. I've moved to Chicago for college but I keep myself updated with events back home....
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please do! I would love to see it. I would also be happy to know about any photos that you think would serve as the basis for paintings.
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They might be a bit graphic though....actually very graphic
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