Ronald Ventura: A Thousand Islands

oil on canvas; 60 x 96 in. (152.4 x 243.8 cm)

The body depicted in the center of the image is the kind of white that do not quite exist in the complexion of a human being in real-life, almost bond-paper white. This is the white of death's skin, drained of blood, sucked by elements thirsty of that liquid, the essence of its life; thus the body's external form here is left intact, like a marble statue, meant for display. But the presence of fruits before this body suggests it is some sort of god, surrounded by colorful offerings from plant life. Unfortunately, this god is not awake, perhaps too exhausted to pay attention to what's going on, or - as suggested above - simply dead. On the other hand, when one looks closer at this god, one notices its other head - or the extension of that head - is of a pig's, also lifeless, now a culinary delight, roasted, the heart of  some tropical fiesta, celebration, gluttony.