David Bade's Subversive Works Stand Out Amid Political Posturing at Scope Miami Beach 2018

The 2018 Scope Art Show in Miami Beach, held from December 4-9 at the Miami Beach Pavilion on 801 Ocean Drive, featured cramped booths and narrow aisles that hindered viewing. A prevalent trend involved overt political commentary, often through unsubtle depictions of Donald Trump. Street artist Shuglo exhibited a hyper-realistic portrait capturing Trump mid-utterance of the word 'huge,' partially obscured by a garish neon sign. In contrast, Amsterdam gallery Annelien Kers presented a solo showcase of Curaçao-born artist David Bade. His figurative paintings merge animals and humans into nightmarish, dystopian sexual fantasies, employing shocking pinks and lime greens that are simultaneously repulsive and alluring. Bade also included a sculpture of Trump, where the president's head morphs into a gooey mop with a jaundiced mane, offering a more subversive critique. The fair's layout and thematic focus drew criticism for prioritizing political posturing over thoughtful artistic engagement.