INTRODUCTION (August 2009)
The idea to illustrate Dante's Inferno came to me about eight years ago, when I still lived in San Luis Obispo. At the time, I tragically found myself in a situation that familiarized me with Bob "The Price is Right" Barker's clothing line, (and if you don't know what I'm talking about, lets hope that you never learn). Anyway's, this "situation", coupled with an idea I was playing around called "Paintings for Children" where I paired cute childish characters with corrupt adult themes (inspired by the Joe Camel Cigarette controversy) helped me conceive the idea of taking "Dante's Inferno" and giving it the "Paintings for Children" treatment. But after doing a bit of research, I quickly realized that I didn't have the skills to effectively execute this rather complicated and at times abstract narrative. Even now, after painting full time for over five years, I'm honestly still not sure if I have the skills to do the poem justice.
The Inferno's artistic legacy is huge; Botticelli, Doré, Dali, Rauschenberg, and countless lesser known artists have created works inspired by the poem. It has inspired a movie (acted out by paper puppets) and even became a video game. Most artists seem to stay true to the poem, focusing on "the poets" Dante, his guide Virgil, and Inferno's diverse cast of demons and damned. Rauschenberg approached Inferno by creating a painting for each of the 36 cantos. As for me, I've decided to remove Dante and Virgil, and instead create a painting for each ring of hell, with the exception of Rings Seven (a triptych - 3 paintings) and Eight (a deciptych - 10 paintings). I wanted to compose each painting in a way that illustrates what a "normal day in hell" would be like. In order for me to accomplish this, I had to take some personal liberties with certain details within the "Inferno," but I did my best to stay as true to the text as I could.
Anyone who has read "Inferno" can tell you, this story is as crazy as it is confusing, and for the show, I published a guide that explained exactly what the hell was going on, why the painting is the way it is, and why I chose to do what I've done. The accompanying text for each painting was what I had written in the guide.
Inferno was hosted by Gallery 1988, and opened on September 9th, 2009 (9/9/9). If you're interested in any of these paintings, please contact Gallery 1988 for availability.
Enjoy.
Luke Chueh
INFERNO RING 1: UPPER HELL: LIMBO - JUDGEMENT
In Dante Aligheri's "Inferno", Ring One was also named "Limbo", and it housed those whom he called the "Virtuous Pagans". It was a place dedicated to those who lived "good" lives, but didn't have Jesus in their hearts (Aligheri was a devout Catholic). These "virtuous pagans" weren't necessarily being punished, but were forced to exist without the presence, or love, of god.
Personally, I felt that Ring One was redundant. There's already a place called "purgatory" (which is basically the same idea), and on top of that, pagans and heretics were cast into Ring Six. So I decided to make Ring One the ring of "judgement". However, Minos, doesn't actually make an appearance till Dante and Virgil make their way into the Second Ring. However, upon further inspection, and after studying a map of the Inferno Aligheri included with the text, Minos actually does reside in the First Ring.
Minos' job is to render judgement on the damned and deciding which Ring they're cursed to occupy. This decision is based on whatever sin you've committed to earn you a place down in the Inferno.
INFERNO RING 2: THE CARNAL - LUST
Personally, I felt that Ring One was redundant. There's already a place called "purgatory" (which is basically the same idea), and on top of that, pagans and heretics were cast into Ring Six. So I decided to make Ring One the ring of "judgement". However, Minos, doesn't actually make an appearance till Dante and Virgil make their way into the Second Ring. However, upon further inspection, and after studying a map of the Inferno Aligheri included with the text, Minos actually does reside in the First Ring.
Minos' job is to render judgement on the damned and deciding which Ring they're cursed to occupy. This decision is based on whatever sin you've committed to earn you a place down in the Inferno.
INFERNO RING 2: THE CARNAL - LUST
Ring 2 was dedicated to the "Carnal"; those who betrayed "reason" and succumbed to their sexual appetites. In Dante's second ring, the carnal are cast into a storm/whirlwind/tempest where they have no control over themselves or their environment.
After thinking about it for a while, I felt that the punishment meted out in Dante's Recond Ring were too mild and abstract. I felt that if I stuck with this whirlwind of carnality, the end results wouldn't make sense as a painting. And so I decided to reinterpret some of Aligheri's ideas within this Second Ring.
I started by stringing up these "carnal" souls like marrionettes to strip them of their ability to control themselves or their environment. I then decided a perfect punishment would be to force to them to fuck each other, the tragedy being that they derive no pleasure from these sexual acts. This would explain their blank, passionless expressions.
Rabbits were chosen to represent "The Carnal" because popular culture has labeled them as being notorious fornicators. I also decided to paint some of these rabbits pink to suggest femininity. This is important because I was afraid if I kept all the rabbits white, the activities illustrated might accidentally suggest homosexual sex. Homosexuality isn't addressed until Dante's Seventh Ring.
After thinking about it for a while, I felt that the punishment meted out in Dante's Recond Ring were too mild and abstract. I felt that if I stuck with this whirlwind of carnality, the end results wouldn't make sense as a painting. And so I decided to reinterpret some of Aligheri's ideas within this Second Ring.
I started by stringing up these "carnal" souls like marrionettes to strip them of their ability to control themselves or their environment. I then decided a perfect punishment would be to force to them to fuck each other, the tragedy being that they derive no pleasure from these sexual acts. This would explain their blank, passionless expressions.
Rabbits were chosen to represent "The Carnal" because popular culture has labeled them as being notorious fornicators. I also decided to paint some of these rabbits pink to suggest femininity. This is important because I was afraid if I kept all the rabbits white, the activities illustrated might accidentally suggest homosexual sex. Homosexuality isn't addressed until Dante's Seventh Ring.
INFERNO RING 3: UPPER HELL: THE GLUTTONOUS
Alighieri reserved the third ring of hell for the glutinous. Immersed in an endless sea of trash, residents of the third ring are tortured/managed by the three-headed hellhound of Greek mythology, Cerberus.
I think my decision to use pigs to represent the glutinous is fairly obvious. Meanwhile the idea to make Cerberus a three-headed wolf was inspired by the classic relationship between the beasts (The Three Little Pigs).
I think my decision to use pigs to represent the glutinous is fairly obvious. Meanwhile the idea to make Cerberus a three-headed wolf was inspired by the classic relationship between the beasts (The Three Little Pigs).
INFERNO RING 4: UPPER HELL: HOARDERS & WASTERS - GREED
Like Atlas, condemned to carrying the Earth on his shoulders, Dante's "Hoarders/Wasters" are forced to forever carry that which they coveted. Meanwhile, Plutus, the Greek God of wealth keeps watch.
When I think of the word "Hoarder", the edacious "pack-rat" comes to mind. The pairing of Plutus with Moneki Neko, the Japanese cat of luck and wealth, truly is an association made for hell.
When I think of the word "Hoarder", the edacious "pack-rat" comes to mind. The pairing of Plutus with Moneki Neko, the Japanese cat of luck and wealth, truly is an association made for hell.
INFERNO RING 5: UPPER HELL: THE RIVER STYX -THE WRATHFUL
Alighieri basically categorized sin into three severities: Incontinence, Violence/Bestiality (aka "Sins of the Lion"), and Fraud/Malice (aka "Sins of the Leopard"). The first four rings are reserved for the Incontinent, while the other two categories are housed in the "City of Dis".
The River Styx serves as an actual barrier between Upper Hell (Rings One through Four) and this City of Dis / Lower Hell (Rings Five through Nine).
The Fifth Ring houses "the Wrathful", those who are consumed by their anger. These angry souls are essentially stuck in the River Styx and cursed to ruthlessly tear each other apart for eternity.
I chose to use the senseless conflict between cats and dogs to illustrate the wrathful, and considering how the animals actually react when immersed in water, I thought the pairing was perfect.
The River Styx serves as an actual barrier between Upper Hell (Rings One through Four) and this City of Dis / Lower Hell (Rings Five through Nine).
The Fifth Ring houses "the Wrathful", those who are consumed by their anger. These angry souls are essentially stuck in the River Styx and cursed to ruthlessly tear each other apart for eternity.
I chose to use the senseless conflict between cats and dogs to illustrate the wrathful, and considering how the animals actually react when immersed in water, I thought the pairing was perfect.
INFERNO RING 6: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - HERETICS
Dante's Sixth Ring held those who committed the sin of heresy. A devout Catholic, "The Divine Comedy" was inspired by the teachings of the Bible, and as one would expect, Dante's Sixth Ring is filled with non-Catholics.
Personally, I was raised Catholic too, but sometime around my teens, I found myself questioning my faith and then completely rejecting it. Since then, I've rediscovered my own version of spirituality, but I don't think I can ever return to the rigidity of an organized religion. Considering my current take on faith and spirituality, I truly believe all organized religions have it wrong. And so all organized religions essentially practice "heresy", and are therefore "heretics". This is why I've tried to include a member of all the major (and some not so major) religions in my version of the Sixth Ring.
The religions I've chosen to illustrate are:
The Ancient Egyptian Religion, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Voodoo, Islam,
Christianity, and The Ancient Roman Religion
In Dante's Inferno, Dante & Virgil are harassed by Medusa, and the Three Infernal Furies of Roman mythology. I chose to make these Furies the Sixth Rings caretakers.
By "Heretic" Dante means specifically those who denied themselves immortality by denying gods "love" (ie. Jesus). Their punishment is an eternal grave in the "fiery morgue of God's wrath". Though these graves are currently open, they are to be sealed come Judgment Day. The use of monkeys can be seen as a bit of a commentary concerning my feelings for organized religion. At the same time, they can be seen as a nod to my "Monkeys with Hats" series.
Personally, I was raised Catholic too, but sometime around my teens, I found myself questioning my faith and then completely rejecting it. Since then, I've rediscovered my own version of spirituality, but I don't think I can ever return to the rigidity of an organized religion. Considering my current take on faith and spirituality, I truly believe all organized religions have it wrong. And so all organized religions essentially practice "heresy", and are therefore "heretics". This is why I've tried to include a member of all the major (and some not so major) religions in my version of the Sixth Ring.
The religions I've chosen to illustrate are:
The Ancient Egyptian Religion, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Voodoo, Islam,
Christianity, and The Ancient Roman Religion
In Dante's Inferno, Dante & Virgil are harassed by Medusa, and the Three Infernal Furies of Roman mythology. I chose to make these Furies the Sixth Rings caretakers.
By "Heretic" Dante means specifically those who denied themselves immortality by denying gods "love" (ie. Jesus). Their punishment is an eternal grave in the "fiery morgue of God's wrath". Though these graves are currently open, they are to be sealed come Judgment Day. The use of monkeys can be seen as a bit of a commentary concerning my feelings for organized religion. At the same time, they can be seen as a nod to my "Monkeys with Hats" series.
INFERNO RING 7 (OUTER): LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - PHLEGETHON - VIOLENCE AGAINST MAN
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When we think of "war mongers", I'm willing to predict that your immediate thoughts go toward the military, soldiers, generals, etc. But if you take a second to think about it, you'll quickly realize that the root of war isn't about those who fight these battles. Rather, it’s the politicians who instigate these conflicts. The most recent Iraq War was very much George W. Bush's, while Desert Storm was George Bush Sr's.
When I think of politics, I think of Americas two major political parties: The Republicans (whose mascot is the Elephant) and the Democrats (whose mascot is the Donkey)
Alighieri chose to immerse his warmongers in the Phlegethon, a boiling river of blood (the blood being sourced from the sinners victims). So, for this section of hell, I chose to stock the Phlegethon with Elephants and Donkeys.
When I think of politics, I think of Americas two major political parties: The Republicans (whose mascot is the Elephant) and the Democrats (whose mascot is the Donkey)
Alighieri chose to immerse his warmongers in the Phlegethon, a boiling river of blood (the blood being sourced from the sinners victims). So, for this section of hell, I chose to stock the Phlegethon with Elephants and Donkeys.
INFERNO RING 7 (MIDDLE): LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - FOREST OF SUICIDES - VIOLENCE AGAINST SELF
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"The Forest of Suicides"
Those who commit the sin of suicide are reincarnated in the Inferno as a tree in the "Forest of Suicides".
Unique among the dead, the suicides will not be bodily resurrected, having given away their original bodies through suicide.
I chose deer for the Forest due to the branch like appearance of their antlers. The suicidal quality of the "deer in the headlights" reaction also makes them the ideal fodder for my Forest of Suicides
Those who commit the sin of suicide are reincarnated in the Inferno as a tree in the "Forest of Suicides".
Unique among the dead, the suicides will not be bodily resurrected, having given away their original bodies through suicide.
I chose deer for the Forest due to the branch like appearance of their antlers. The suicidal quality of the "deer in the headlights" reaction also makes them the ideal fodder for my Forest of Suicides
INFERNO RING 7 (INNER): LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - THE BURNING PLAINS - VIOLENCE AGAINST GOD
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"The Burning Plains"
Dante's Blasphemers and Sodomites are cursed to reside in a desert of flaming sand while fire rains down from the sky.
When considering the ideal metaphor as a resident of this section of hell, folklore suggests that the fox is a tricky, untrustworthy, creature. The color pink is often associated with femininity and homosexuality. Therefore a pink fox is the perfect blasphemous sodomite.
Dante's Blasphemers and Sodomites are cursed to reside in a desert of flaming sand while fire rains down from the sky.
When considering the ideal metaphor as a resident of this section of hell, folklore suggests that the fox is a tricky, untrustworthy, creature. The color pink is often associated with femininity and homosexuality. Therefore a pink fox is the perfect blasphemous sodomite.
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 1 - PANDERERS & SEDUCERS
Panderers (pimps) and seducers march, while whipped by demons. Just as they misled others in life, they are driven to march by demons for all eternity.
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 2 - FLATTERERS
Flatterers are steeped in human excrement. This is because their flatteries on earth were nothing but "a load of excrement".
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 3 - SIMONIACS
Those who committed simony (the making of profit out of sacred/religious things) are placed headfirst in holes in the ground, with flames burning on the soles of their feet (resembling an inverted baptism).
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 4 - FORTUNE TELLERS AND DIVINERS
Sorcerers and false prophets have their heads twisted around on their bodies backward. This is symbolic because these people tried to see into the future by forbidden means (and possibly retribution for the delusions they concocted that probably led their followers to their own perils); thus in Hell they can only see what is behind them and cannot see forward
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 5 - GRAFTERS
Corrupt politicians (barraters) are immersed in boiling pitch, which represents the sticky fingers and dark secrets of their corrupt deals.
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 6 - HYPOCRITES
Hypocrites listlessly walk along wearing gilded lead cloaks. Gold on the outside, lead on the inside, the association should be obvious.
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 7 - THIEVES
Thieves are pursued and bitten by snakes and lizards. Alighieri considers thievery to be "reptilian in its secrecy", this is why they are eaten away by reptiles
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 8 - CORRUPT COUNSELORS
Fraudulent Advisors / Corrupt Conselors are encased in flames. Classic "Hell Fire".
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 9 - SOWERS OF DISCORD
A sword-wielding demon hacks at the sowers of discord. As they make their rounds the wounds heal, only to have the demon tear apart their bodies again.
INFERNO RING 8: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - MALEBOLGE - BOLGIA 10 - FALSIFIERS
Here various sorts of falsifiers (alchemists, counterfeiters, perjurers, and impersonators), who are a disease on society, are themselves afflicted with different types of diseases.
INFERNO RING 9: LOWER HELL: CITY OF DIS - COCYTUS - THE TREACHEROUS
Dante considered the act of treason to be the most horrendous sin of all. The ninth ring features Cocytus, a frozen lake, where traitors are encased in the ice at varying depths, ranging from neck deep to complete immersion. Satan, Christendom’s ultimate evil, is housed in the center of this lake for committing the ultimate act of treason: treachery against God.
(The following description was taken from Wikipedia.) Alighieri's Satan has three faces, one red, one black, and one a pale yellow, each having a mouth that chews on a prominent traitor. Satan is represented as a giant, terrifying beast, weeping tears from his six eyes, which mix with the blood and puss of the traitors he's gnawing on. He is waist deep in ice, and beats his six wings as if trying to escape, but the icy wind that emanates only further ensures his imprisonment (as well as that of the others in the ring).
The sinners in the mouths of Satan are Brutus and Cassius in the left and right mouths, respectively. They were involved in the assassination of Julius Caesar—an act which, to Dante, represented the destruction of a unified Italy and the killing of the man who was divinely appointed to govern the world.
In the central, most vicious mouth is Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. Judas is being administered the most horrifying torture of the three traitors, his head in the mouth of Satan, and his back being forever skinned by Satan's claws.
This version of Satan is, in my eyes, totally crazy. The finished illustration would end up being a joke no one would find funny. For instance, "Cassius" and "Brutus"? Outside of Shakespeare's "Julius Ceasar", I can't imagine anybody in this day and age caring.
Considering the idea that this interpretation of the Inferno is really my own, I decided to insert myself as the ruler of this domain. In other words, I thought it would be a humorous twist if the roll of "Satan", (ruler of hell), was filled by yours truly.
Of course I still did my best to stay true to the rest of the details from the text. The Satanic version of myself is still imprisoned in the frozen waters of lake Cocytus, I'm still gnawing on Judas Iscariot. Judas' blue and beige robes are based on the colors Leonardo Da Vinci chose for him in "The Last Supper". Also, the knife in Judas' hand is another item I added to help identify the treacherous desciple.
Finally, I chose to have my bears dispersed throughout Cocytus because, like the 8th Ring, the idea and act of "treachery" is also something I regularly explore in my paintings.
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