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Rudy Giuliani Holding an Elephant
2007
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This caricature of Rudy Giuliani (mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001) belongs to a triptych depicting front runners in the 2008 primaries, all but one of whom experienced a downfall that cost them the nomination. Here Oliphant's exaggerations of scale provide the perfect picture of overconfidence. Giuliani's enlarged head and features presumably match the politician's notorious ego. An arching line flares into a superior grin as his wincing eyes survey the field of competition. Tragically, Giuliani failed to grasp that his personality and liberal social positions made him ill-equipped to be the Republican nominee. Currently Giuliani is a private attorney for President Trump.
Hillary's Nightmare
2007
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Hillary Clinton (1947-) held an awkward position in the 2008 race for the Democratic nomination. On the one hand, she was strongly tied to the party establishment, but on the other, her association with the foibles and shortcomings of her husband's administration provided the basis for a "Stop Hillary" movement. Moreover, her aspirations to be the first female President conflicted with the equally strong goal among female voters of color to see Obama become the first African-American President. Oliphant visualizes Hillary's predicament as that of a sleeper startled awake from a nightmare. Obama's face in the dark cloud of a bad dream brings her to the screaming realization that she is going to lose the nomination.
Edwards Getting a $400 Haircut
2007
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John Edwards (1953-) served as a Democratic senator from North Carolina (1999-2005) and twice sought the Democratic nomination for president. In April 2007, a reporter from Politico received a tip from the Obama campaign that Edwards's $400 haircuts had been showing up on his campaign expense reports. This revealed an embarrassing irony in Edwards campaign, which had been emphasizing the candidate's own humble beginnings and identification with the poor as well as his policies to eliminate poverty in America. Subsequent investigations brought to light an extramarital affair. By the end of January 2008, Edwards suspended his campaign activities.
Oliphant caricatures the story of the $400 haircut as a fable of one who fatefully falls in love with his own reflection. The Beverly Hills stylist Joseph Torrenueva hovers over his client as one casting a spell, presenting the completed job for approval. The youthful and handsome Edwards smiles broadly as he gazes into Torrenueva's dark mirror, mesmerized by his beautifully coifed hair. Later, Torrenueva let it be known that he hard charged Edwards as much as $1,250 for one haircut because of the added cost of travel and missed work days. Clearly the candidate was under a spell! |