BEWARE THE LEADER WHO BANGS THE DRUMS OF WAR, 2005
Gouache on heavy paper, 14-1/2 x 83 inches


LES GRIMOIRES are painted on paper which had been previously printed by a contemporary publisher as a Grimoire, or Book of Spells, from the 17th century.


The text reads:


Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip his citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism indeed is a double edged sword. It emboldens the blood just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and when the blood boils with hate, the mind is closed and the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather the citizenry, confused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all their rights onto the leader, and gladly. 

So how do I know? For this is what I have done and I am Ceasar.