Chor Boogie on The Divided States of America

Money, greed, racism, inequality and poverty is what came to mind when Chor Boogie, renowned spray paint artist, was approached by Nirmal Muyle, Ph.D., President of Nostrum Pharmaceutical and Nostrum Energy, to express his views on the current state of America. Chor never considered himself to be a political artist, but when he accepted the offer the project took on a life of its own.

“It was pretty much how I felt about America,” Chor explains. “I decided that if I was going to do the project I was going to go all out and I was going to tell the truth. I thought to myself ‘I’m going to open some eyes here. It’s going to be controversial.’”

Chor Boogie, Lady Liberty, 2008

The massive spray paintings depict a hopeless America divided by greed, race, class and resources. Chor’s interpretation of the Statue of Liberty resembles a haggardly woman of color who is disenchanted by the lack of food for the poor, yet, the over abundance of money for war. Nirmal observed the changing spirit of Congress and the American public while working on President Obama’s election campaigns in 2008 and 2012. Disillusioned, he wanted to capture the polarization of America with the objective to show how the current governing system is affecting the country.

“I served on certain committees and was actively involved with raising money for various candidates and then elected politicians. At one point I was just sitting there and thinking ‘If I’m feeling this bad about what is happening to this country I would like to get some artists to put on canvas how they feel.’” Nirmal explains.  “I talked to my artist friend Peter Max and he said ‘I only paint happy things.’ and then I talked to Mark and asked about any artists that would like to express themselves and these paintings came about. Obviously they’re too big to hang in my house, but everybody who saw them said everyone should see them.”

Chor Boogie, Jesus and Christianity have been subverted, 2011

                                   

The images include Jesus hanging from a cross made of money, police officers and government officials masked in KKK hoods made of the American flag, a downtrodden lady liberty and gasoline pumps made of nooses. Chor says after the Jesus piece, Nirmal was a little taken aback, but the political expert admits the brutal honesty of the collection is a catalyst for much needed dialogue among American people about the government.

“I think it is time we started having discussions about issues involved here and solutions. The way it is, is why we are so divided. Between the republicans and democrats there are idiots on both sides,” says Nirmal. “For us to keep the country the way it is and make sure the next generation has the same opportunities we need to make some changes. So that was the motivation.”

The completed pieces debuted during the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., a perfect setting for artwork inspired by a fractured United States. The three day show was attended by celebrities like hip-hop artist Talib Kweli, actress Rosario Dawson and more. Chor says he didn’t create the pieces to gain fame or notoriety; he just painted what came to him in that moment.

“The thought process behind it was a little challenging. When I was approached about the project this is what I saw,” Chor explains.  “All races are being subjected to the police, government and racism. The hoodie is symbolic of the over population of the prison system. We have freedom of speech, but the shit ain’t free. Bottom line is money is everything, money is religion, money bought the project and that’s how I feel about the project.”

Chor Boogie, The Pursuit of Happiness, 2008

                                                        

In Chor’s opinion, America is now a society where everyone is victim to government policies that aren’t necessarily furthering the best interest of the people. Many of the institutions, organizations and departments that were put in place to help people are actually hurting American people. Chor says that's why it was important for him to finish the pieces.

“It’s not about me. It about something bigger; it’s about America,” Chor states.  “It’s the straight honest to G-d’s truth,”