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I have noticed throughout the years, that the art works that I produce tend to initiate very different responses from the different people who view it. Some responses can be so far removed from anything that ever entered my mind that I am amazed. From the few comments that I have received thus far from fellow artists and friends, I would say that this painting is no exception. The reactions have been strong, positive and fearful. The work can be viewed and taken in two obvious ways with a kaleidoscope of gray areas in between. The work is at the same time both serious and tongue in cheek, both reverent and irreverent, and both hopeful and frightening. Much of the symbolism used has a double edge, just as everything does in life. -- Bruce Cegur
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When I was first struck with the idea for the work "Saint Oprah", finances were low and I had made the supreme sacrifice of giving up cable television. As I like to work with some distractions, there is always a television, FM radio, or a CD playing in the background. Here in the Chicago land area, Oprah is broadcast twice daily, once at 9:00am and then again at 11:00pm. So, at 11:00pm, my peak working time, without the selections offered on Cable, I became an almost regular viewer of Oprah's Show. Prior to this, I had caught several of her other shows throughout the years as well as the few movies that she was in but, I never really considered myself a fan.
After about six months of pretty regular viewing, I gained respect for Oprah, or at least for the Oprah that we see. I really admired the self-help/positive direction that the show was taking. I usually found something in each show that I thought was interesting or informative. I respect Oprah for how far she has come in life considering that she shared similar dysfunctional obstacles that many people have in common. She has accumulated great wealth, but uses her resources to reach out and help others. She got people reading again - one of my favorite pastimes - and she collected money for homes and education for those who were in need. Perhaps struggling artists could be her next cause.
During this time, I also began to notice how dedicated Oprah's fans are to her. Oprah has been turned into a living icon by her fans and the media. The prime time court battle with the meat industry was certainly Oprah's public crucifixion and resurrection.
With all this new influx of Oprah in my life, the painting is a natural conclusion and came easily to me. Everything was obvious and I think that I present it that way in this work. The symbolism used runs from the Blatant to the more subtle, but all of the symbolism has a double edge. I have not created this work from the position of a fan, as my personality doesn't really lean in a fan direction, but rather as an objective observer. There is much more stated in this work then Oprah's life and contributions.
When I finished the images for "Saint Oprah", which by the way took about 80 hours, I was pretty excited. The first thing that I had to do was to pen a letter to Oprah and let her know of my achievement. I welcomed and truthfully desired input from her before I continued further with my plans. Well, who did I think I was? I sent her an e-mail as well as a hard copy via snail mail. As yet, I have received no response. In the meantime, I have gone on to create the mixed media construction of "Saint Oprah".
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