Scapegoat

By Saskia Lee Lammerts van Bueren

Caption Of Artwork: This piece reflects on the political environment in western Europe right before ww2 and the role propaganda played in the rise to power of the nazis. The figure in the middle has no face or recognizable features to convey the message that everyone could become the scapegoat. The bright red background is covered in vibrant signs and letters which read “traitor” and “animal” in german, which along with the star of David and the pink triangle on the head showcase how minority groups were and still are dehumanized and used as a scapegoat. The vibrant colors of the painting represent the reliance of propaganda on emotion, while the black and white resistance newspapers represent a reaction in reality. This painting is supposed to hold a mirror to current day events and showcase how it was possible for the nazis to commit such horrible atrocities so that we can recognize when it happens again.