George Gittoes The beast

In 2011, I participated in Occupy Wall Street in Zuccotti Park in New York City’s financial district – a protest against social and economic inequality – where I painted a large beast in watercolour on a scroll of paper while surrounded by protesters and police. The Zuccotti beast symbolised the greed of the ‘Zero Percenters’.

In 2016, Donald Trump’s bid for presidency has dominated the news, inspiring me to revisit the beast theme. Just as I felt it was important to use my art to support the Zuccotti Park protesters, I intend to work in the poor black areas of Miami during the upcoming November vote. The disparity between rich and poor is creating monsters.

- George Gittoes, 2016