Presenting my exploration of the Seven Deadly Sins and their paradoxical counterparts, the Seven Heavenly Virtues. A profound journey into the depths of human nature and morality. By meticulously planning and executing each piece, I delve into the raw essence of each sin and virtue, capturing their complexities and contradictions with raw honesty and insight.
The inclusion of the Heavenly Virtues alongside the Deadly Sins adds layers of depth and nuance to this work, highlighting the interconnectedness of these seemingly opposite forces. Through these paintings, I confront the ugly nature of both sin and virtue, challenging viewers to confront their own moral ambiguities and contradictions.
My exploration of these themes serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of human existence and the eternal struggle between good and evil, virtue and vice. My art invites viewers to engage in introspection and reflection, prompting them to consider the ways in which these universal themes manifest in their own lives and experiences.
What is Gluttony the sin of excess?
Exploring the sin of excess, gluttony and temperance in this painting offers a thought-provoking reflection on the destructive nature of excess and the virtue of restraint. Through my art, I delve into the societal implications of consumerism and the imbalance of power between the powerful and the meek.
Gluttony, depicted as an insatiable desire for consumption beyond saturation levels, is portrayed as a destructive force fuelled by addiction and excess. Highlighted here is how gluttony, like greed, leads to the hoarding of resources and perpetuates inequality in society. The powerful, represented by figures of authority, are depicted as consuming all they can at the expense of the meek, who are manipulated into mistrust and division.
In contrast, temperance is portrayed as the virtue of restraint, albeit taken to extremes at times. Here I explore the challenges of controlling addiction and the struggle to resist the temptation of excessive consumption.
Gluttony emerges as a grotesque, bloated figure, a monstrosity of excess and overindulgence. Its insatiable appetite consumes everything in its path, crushing the spirit of the people and the foundations of their beliefs. Gluttony hoards without purpose, taking for the sake of taking, discarding its leftovers to the desperate below—those who, stripped of dignity, are grateful for even the scraps. It is a relentless force, drawing from every corner of the world, devouring far more than it needs. Yet, this machine of greed and consumption is unsustainable, destined to collapse under its own massive weight.
We see the warning signs but turn away, imprisoned by the illusion that this is the life we’ve chosen, the life we’ve "voted" for. Our collective gluttonous nature destroys not just distant worlds but, ultimately, the very one we call home.
Temperance, though a virtue, becomes a mocking shadow in the face of such madness. The absence of balance, the refusal of restraint, reflects our descent into self-destruction. It is the mirror we dare not look into, for it shows us the devastating cost of our cravings.
The Devil watches with wicked delight, lazily feeding Gluttony its eternal punishment. He dines alongside it, feasting on toads, rats, and snakes—a banquet of filth befitting this gluttonous existence.
And yet, beyond this cycle of destruction, freedom beckons. The lush green fields ripple with promise, their lazy flowers dancing in the breeze, inviting us to escape this endless hunger. There is peace to be found in simplicity, in the harmony of nature and the balance it offers. But the question remains: will you seize this chance, or will you remain chained to the endless feast?
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