Framed: 17 x 14.13 in.

In 'Wizard Pat', televangelist and right-wing political figure Pat Robertson serves as the main character within Paul Marcus’ watercolor work, taking the role of the ominous Wizard in the popular 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz'. Robertson is portrayed hypnotizing a classic American family, brainwashing them with a golden crucifix while they look on completely engrossed. Similar to the scene within the movie, a dog reveals 'the man behind the curtain', seen here as Adolf Hitler, creating an obvious allusion between the religious media mogul and one of the most infamous men in history.

American artist Paul Marcus (b. 1953) views his art as a means with which to speak up and speak out, making references to the wars, figures, and political movements that were ever-present throughout his youth. At the forefront of his concerns are foreign policy, immigration, discrimination, and corporate interest as is suggested through Marcus’ charged paintings, prints, and works on paper. This is exemplfied in a recent series entitled “The Bush Years”, where Marcus critically examines the tumultuous presidency of George W. Bush. The artist’s works have been exhibited throughout his native New York, notably including a solo show at ACA Galleries in 2008 and group shows at UB Art Galleries, University of Buffalo, NY (2011); ACA Galleries, New York, NY (2003 & 1997); and PPOW, New York, NY (1998).

Selected Public Collections:
Museum of Modern Art (New York, NY)
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, NY)
Library of Congress (Washington DC)
National Gallery of Art (Washington DC)