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Wim Delvoye — Bin Laden
Wim Delvoye

Bin Laden

2002

In this provocative work, Wim Delvoye tattoos the image of Bin Laden alongside Christian and Muslim iconography — including Bernini's *Saint Teresa in Ecstasy* and the Hand of Fatima — onto the preserved skin of a pig, rendered in deep blue ink reminiscent of a ballpoint pen. The pale, hair-covered skin initially unsettles the viewer with its uncanny resemblance to human flesh, before a deeper layer of transgression emerges through the deliberate desecration of sacred symbols from multiple faiths. By inscribing these loaded religious and political images onto pork — a creature forbidden in both Islamic and Judaic traditions — Delvoye constructs a densely layered provocation that challenges cultural, religious, and political boundaries simultaneously.

Medium
The present lot is of unusual nature – an image of Bin Laden, largely in dark blue ink, almost resembling a biro, spreads over the skin of the back and legs of a pig. It shocks the viewer on many levels – the pink colouring of the skin together with its fair hairs creates the first impression of a human skin being displayed; another shock comes from the insult of connecting Bin Laden, Christian & Muslim icons, such as Bernini’s Saint Teresa in ecstasy, irreverently entangled with Fatima’s hand, the whole tattooed on the skin of a pork, a forbidden animal in both Muslim and Judaic cultures.

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20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale

October 6, 2016

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About this work

Wim Delvoye, Bin Laden, 2002

In this provocative work, Wim Delvoye tattoos the image of Bin Laden alongside Christian and Muslim iconography — including Bernini's *Saint Teresa in Ecstasy* and the Hand of Fatima — onto the preserved skin of a pig, rendered in deep blue ink reminiscent of a ballpoint pen. The pale, hair-covered skin initially unsettles the viewer with its uncanny resemblance to human flesh, before a deeper layer of transgression emerges through the deliberate desecration of sacred symbols from multiple faiths. By inscribing these loaded religious and political images onto pork — a creature forbidden in both Islamic and Judaic traditions — Delvoye constructs a densely layered provocation that challenges cultural, religious, and political boundaries simultaneously.

Medium
The present lot is of unusual nature – an image of Bin Laden, largely in dark blue ink, almost resembling a biro, spreads over the skin of the back and legs of a pig. It shocks the viewer on many levels – the pink colouring of the skin together with its fair hairs creates the first impression of a human skin being displayed; another shock comes from the insult of connecting Bin Laden, Christian & Muslim icons, such as Bernini’s Saint Teresa in ecstasy, irreverently entangled with Fatima’s hand, the whole tattooed on the skin of a pork, a forbidden animal in both Muslim and Judaic cultures.
Year
2002
Seen at
Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

Related themes

Mixed Cultural Commentary, Shock Art, Provocative Work, Belgian Artist, Male Artist, Mixed Media, Politically Charged, Conceptual Art, Political Imagery, Political Commentary, Tattoo Art, Provocative Art, Transgressive Art, Contemporary Art, Religious Iconography, Provocateur, Dark Blue, Figurative, Dark Blue Tones, Animal Medium, Mixed Cultural References, Post-Modern

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