Monthly Art Challenge – October 2025 – The Burden of Power

[L.Baron]

Omg I had almost the same ideas as you! Now I feel so defeated, because your pictures are perfect and I haven’t even started !! Well done!

[relink]

My name is Bob, and this is my entry for the October 2025 art contest. After discussions with others, I offer it with the following commentary.

This is an interpretative piece, and while it may appear so on the surface, it is not a religious piece. This is a representation of a common punishment carried out against people by governing authorities during a particular time in our history.

The punishment of crucifixion symbolizes political/governmental Authority and the application of their Power.

The Fire Bolt symbolizes a counter-Authority—a champion of the people if you will.

The destruction created by the Fire Bolt symbolizes the Burden of Consequence, which must be borne by governmental authority when it abuses its power.

While this entry will miss the mark of a specifically designated physically visible, wearable burden, my interpretation is that Consequence is that Burden which will be carried and felt to the end of their days.

[steve.improvthis]

Here are my entries for this month.

There is (much, much) more about each of these in the discussion thread. Check it out.

“Burden of the Powerful in a Clown Alley”
To be a leader of the Clowns, the Gerbera Daisy is the must-wear accessory.
Heavy is the head that wears The Daisy.

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“The Burden of Treachery of an Egg Baby: This is not an egg.”

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“The Burden of Power = W / T”
Leadership meets the universal.

[Paint4Thought]

My first upload here. I hope I’m doing this right…
Original art by me.

[sooz]

Very thought provoking.

[Dima]

This man has absolute power, controlling the fate of the entire world with the help of a computer installation controlled only by him. He understands that he is a hostage of this perfect machine. He knows that he will never be able to taste the delights and hardships of the world he rules. This man accepted the post voluntarily, in the name and for the sake of this power, and sometimes this boundlessness of power weighs on him…

[sooz]

That’s cute, @I_J10. I can see it fitting with Burden of Power if the cat is forced to “wear” small creatures on its head as a reminder that he is responsible for even the smallest of subjects within his realm.

[relink]

Dima, what a wonderful submission. Similar to another in that the symbolisum is present throughout. Your description is perfect and tells all one needs to know. Using different words I’d say, Heavy is the Head that holds the Power and the Burden of responsibility. Nicely done.

[I_J10]

Exactly @sooz. I’m so glad it works!

[Dima]

@relink thank you very much.You’re right, I tried to put the main symbols of power into this drawing. In the background is a computer processor as a symbol of the sun, symbols of continents, a symbol of a crown above his head, cables leading to him in the form of wings, a bowed head, a character on the knees of humility, the circle in which he is located and the disintegrating decay of existence. I’ve ruined a lot of paper trying to tie it all together. Since you noticed this, it means that my idea was on the right track.

I hope I didn’t overstep the moral bounds.

Вы правы, я постарался вложить в этот рисунок основные символы власти. На заднем плане процессор компьютера как символ солнца, символы материков, символ венца над головой, кабели идущие к нему в виде крыльев, склонённая голова, персонаж на коленях смирения, круг в котором он находится и разлетающийся тлен бытия. Я испортил кучу бумаги в попытках это как то связать воедино. Раз вы это заметили, значит моя задумка была на верном пути.

Надеюсь я не вышел за рамки морали.

[J_Aitch]

My submission for this month. My interpretation is essentially a robe worn by those in power, which I chose to represent in two forms. I also incorporated the story of Prometheus and his punishment into my drawing which is supposed to be the “good” form and the corrupt, puppet is the “bad” version. Most of the ideas I came up with when interpreting the challenge meant more realism & human figure elements. This was more challenging for me as it meant drawing stuff which I don’t usually explore.

It was difficult but I learnt a lot from this challenge. For instance, when it comes to robes dragging on the floor, I found wedding dresses to be better references to use. I think my Pinterest now thinks I’m getting married All in all it was fun and I learnt a lot.

[sooz]

“We see you. You will be judged by your actions.”

This painting is huge, over four feet tall. It must be given a prominent place in the leader’s office and in their home (even if it clashes with the decor) as a constant reminder that public officials are always under scrutiny.

[steve.improvthis]

Wow. What a month it’s been!

Thanks again @Mariusz_Galaj for this month’s topic and diving in to the discussions.

There have been some really cool entries (and I’m betting we may see some more before time runs out)! As usual, it will be challenging to only select two to vote for! Great work everyone!

[FireShepherd]

OK! I finished! These “Royal Earrings” manifest the burden that power brings… that you will never be treated normally and everything you hear is now “tarnished” because everyone wants to use your power: Some will flood your ears with deceitful, empty flattery for their own ends, while others will continually present to you their real, countless unattractive needs.

And so the monarch (of my imaginary kingdom ) wears this large pair of awkward, symbolic earrings as a reminder of the constant vigilance they must practice with all they hear: They must beware the flatter and protect the lowly.

The Flattering Fox:

• Known for its craftiness, the fox here is based on the fable of the fox and the crow; where, in order to lure the chunk of cheese from the bird’s beak, the fox flatters the crow to sing.
• The antler design is inspired from the fable of the stag, who found himself so admiring his grand antlers that he felt ashamed and disgusted with his ugly thin legs. But later, when pursued by a predator, it was his antlers that snagged him in a low branch, when his swift legs had nearly saved his life.
• The alluring diamond dangling at the bottom is only a deceptive piece of cut glass.

I liked this pair up of the fox and the stag antlers, because to me it relays the caution of not letting your good qualities (real or fabricated) be tools to feed your pride and not your strength.

The Lowly Dove:

• This peaceful animal represents the vulnerable and needy people of the realm, whose humble tone requires more effort to hear.
• The crude shape of this earring is comprised of unflattering, unattractive thorns. Crafted for symbolic pain only, the winding thorns represent the harsh, painful labor that faces the ruler if they heed the dove’s call.
• Hidden amidst the bristles are rosebuds - the promise of true beauty that awaits as the fruit of hard labor. That detail to me was inspired by the old, well used maxim of… Instead of being disheartened that these roses have thorns - let us rather be thankful that these thorns have roses.
• The ugly rough “useless” stone hanging here is actually a geode, masking a precious gem inside.

[Mariusz_Galaj]

I initially planned to remake my previous piece from April (a tiara for the Pope), but I decided it was unfinished, mainly because I got sick, as usual in October, and it literally tormented me while I was working on it. So I’ll finish it some other day and post it some time leter in the “Finished Works” category.

I had to try something easier and something that resonated with my mental state, so here it is. How do I feel as previous winner of the Montchy Art Contest? I feel like the badge is a shiny object on an arrow pierced through the winner’s head, while thoughts of responsibility swirl around inside head in chaos. Every day I frantically glanced on discusion thread" to see if anyone will ask me about theme I have set for this month. I don’t blame anyone for my pain but myself. I guess that’s just how I am with responsibility. I know I could have added the words “Monthly Art Contest Winner” to the badge, but I didn’t because it makes my entry more universal (and besides, I hate painting letters, so it’s probably an excuse not to paint them)

I did this in grayscale because I felt I learned more when I wasn’t thinking about color (or maybe I was just lazy). And again, I remembered an important lesson about painting; the most important thing is to ask questions about what to improve and how, a slightly deeper breath every few seconds and a slightly deeper thought. Although I must admit, painting those swirls on the columns made me feel dizzy. And I feel bad for publishing my entry at the almost last minute.

[sooz]

Let the voting begin! Choose up to 2 submissions.

Voting will be open until 2025-10-29T18:00:00Z.

• Artwork by @npc
  
• Artwork by @Elixiah
  
• Artwork by @SofiaRC
  
• Artwork by @Corentin
  
• Artwork by @Famouzy
  
  
• Artwork by @relink
  
• Artwork by @steve.improvthis
  
  
  
• Artwork by @Paint4Thought
  
• Artwork by @Dima
  
• Artwork by @I_J10
  
• Artwork by @J_Aitch
  
• Artwork by @sooz
  
• Artwork by @FireShepherd
  
• Artwork by @Mariusz_Galaj
  

[SofiaRC]

Our drawings are similar, could be a nice duo..

[Dima]

@SofiaRC Nothing is impossible.