It all started in 2012 when I took part in the ArtPrize competition.
Captivity was designed as installation art that would change
daily for 19 days. I planned to stun the crowds with the most controversial
subjects that certain people preach and practice in the world today. The show
was intended to highlight various cultures and how they are captive to certain
ideas.
What happened to this
educational show that brought the ideas, ideologies, and practices of different
cultures to Grand Rapids, Michigan?
This show turned out to be the prime
example of captivity. This show was shut down by the rich Gilmore and powerful Devos
groups. The ArtPrize slogan “everything goes” was fake, and the ArtPrize
organizers were in agreement with the venue owner—Greg Gilmore—who took down
the show and threw my art in the trash. Controversy went out of control when
the media interviewed me and Greg Gilmore, back and forth, to fuel the debate.
I thank all my supporters who stood by my side.
The rich and powerful had the
media in their pocket and the money to buy it all. I felt defeated, but I still
wanted to fight back, so I burnt all my art in protest. I did so to be at
spiritual peace with myself, or perhaps I was captive to finding closure to six
months of hard work and the investment of $100,000 to put up a show that never
took place.
This gave birth to a new idea right after I had burnt all the art. What was the greatest idea of all time: to redo the show but it will be a painting that has all 19 ideas within. But unfortunately I was not ready to do it then since I had no funds to accomplish my great vision.
What was my great vision?
My great vision to make that one painting in the entire world that actually has an embedded code to a real treasure. the Captivity would be the famous painting in the would, it will capture the imagination of million of people and hold them captive. it would be the most seen, viewed work of a living artist, it will be a symbol of freedom of expression. it will be a reminder to all that freedom of expression at the end wins. This painting will move from state to state, and will be displayed from gallery to gallery, from museum to museum challenging people to give a shot and make history to tie your name with it for ever.
It is my great pleasure to launch this great painting called the Captivity- a painting that will hold your imagination captive. This painting has a code, real code, this is not a fake story, it actually is true and the code really exits. if you can break the code you can walk away with assets in millions which also includes hard cash. lots of hard cash.
