Black role models: at that time these were the world boxing champion Mike Tyson and the famous sportsman (American football) and later actor O.J. Simpson. But they are also ‘fallen’ role models. Mike Tyson, controversial, convicted of various assaults, including acts of violence and rape. And O.J. Simpson was accused of murdering his white ex-wife and her friend. At O.J. Simpson’s criminal trial the predominantly black jury pronounced him ‘not guilty’ (1995). In a later civil case against him O.J. Simpson was indeed found guilty by the mostly white jury (1997) The painting devoted to O.J. Simpson includes the composition of the twelve member criminal trial jury. The painted textual background is based on a historical survey of the crime and the trial, in which the subject of racial discrimination is insistently addressed. |
A somewhat earlier painting about Mike Tyson (elswhere on this website) has a similar scheme, with the composition of the predominently white jury which in 1992 reached a ‘guilty’ verdict in Tyson’s trial for rape. He was then sentenced to six years in prison, which in practice turned out to be three years. The texts scratched into the background concern events from the boxer’s life. |
The Simpson case. Key developments leading to O.J.Simpson's acquittal in the slayings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
USA TODAY Research
USA TODAY International Edition, october 5 1995
International Herald Tribune, october 4 1995
The Times, october 4 1995