The
repetitive image of Haile Selassie in this piece points to the overuse and
commercialization of images relating to the Rastafarian lifestyle and Reggae
music. Many people wear the Rasta images such as the Lion of Judah and the
Star of David in the characteristic red, gold, green and black colors without
knowing what they mean. These images have been romanticized and drained of
meaning by excessive exposure like the image of Che Guevara, who was not just
a revolutionary but also a ruthless murderer. On the other hand, the image
of Haile Selassie, who is revered by Rastafarians, is relatively unknown.
The rectangle on the right side of the image as well as the colors of the
piece were inspired by a painting entitled Flags by Jasper Johns which pictured
an American flag in its complimentary colors. Similar to Flags, if viewers
stare closely at the center of the rectangle for sixty seconds and then close
their eyes, they can see an afterimage of Haile Selasie pictured in front
of the traditional Rastafarian colors. While the Jasper Johns image was later
used as the poster for one of the first protests for the Vietnam War entitled
Moratorium, this image is not meant as a protest against Haile Selasie or
the Rastafarian religion, but rather tries to convey the idea that viewers
should internalize and understand the colors and symbols that they see and
wear.
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