The Brooklyn-based artist behind those viral muff-diving celebrity portraits has created another one that is oh-so fitting for our times.
Alexandra Rubinstein, who we spoke to last week about her oil on canvas ‘Best I Ever Had‘ series ft. celebs like Drake and Justin Bieber going down on anonymous women, has now painted the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.
Like her other works in the series, this one has a cheeky appropriate name.
“‘Thanks Obama’,” she writes on Instagram. “But really. Thanks for respecting women and their right to choose, and not abusing your power. And hopefully meeting Michelle’s needs despite your busy schedule.”
Rubinstein told PEDESTRIAN.TV she was moved to paint Obama after witnessing the grief of a city that now realises just how widespread misogyny and racism is across America.
“Being in NYC, and a fairly intelligent, liberal person, this election has been incredibly difficult. The whole city has been grieving and it’s just a very sad outcome for the country – realising that so much of the population doesn’t value women and minorities and how much of the hatred is internalised,” she said.
“Since the series is about men heterosexual women fantasise about, it seemed appropriate and timely to paint Obama – our president for the last 8 years that showed a great example of respecting women and their rights and choices, as well as the progress we HAVE made as a country.
“It was also partially inspired by the pilot of ‘Fleabag‘ where the lead character masturbates to Obama. A lot of women find him attractive, and I think its a combination of his looks but also his progressive attitude and appreciation for strong women – i.e. Michelle. ”
It’s safe to say (she writes, crossing literally every finger) that there will be no ‘Grab Her‘ portrait of Donald Trump.
Photo: Alexandra Rubinstein.
