Leedy-Volkous Art Center (2012 Baltimore Avenue) September 4th - October 31st, 2020

Christine Buchholtz’s timely work depicts a gender subversive view of current world leaders as they clash for power. Globally, we are experiencing the most divisive and uncertain times in modern history, while simultaneously the most interconnected. Buchholtz has a keen insight into international power politics because of her role in defense and security policy at the Danish Ministry of Defence. This body of work, Clash of Civilizations focuses on Buchholtz’s view of the current world leaders and their quest for power and expansionism. Her depiction of them as women speaks to her suggestions of the benefit of the feminization of politics. Five acrylic paintings portray: US president Donald Trump, President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, President of the People’s Republic of China, Ji Xinping, President of the French Republic, Emannuel Macron, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jung Un.

Buchholtz focuses on two themes in Clash of Civilizations: expansionism and the feminization of politics. Expansionism can be described as the policy of territorial or economic expansion associated with expanding one nation’s territory, ideologies, power, wealth, or influence by means of economic growth, empire building, and colonialism.