“Cowgore” is a striking painting that juxtaposes nostalgia with an unsettling reaction, borrowing well-known images from popular culture to evoke a sense of discomfort. The composition is a hyper-close-up view of what appears to be the yawning mouth of a cow devouring cheeseburgers with anthropomorphic eyes. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the cow is an image from “Steamboat Willie,” the iconic Disney cartoon in which Mickey Mouse opens a large cow’s mouth and plays a xylophone on its lower teeth. However, in this painting, the lower teeth are obscured by two distressed and demoralized cheeseburger characters from the 1980s McDonaldland advertisements, adding a layer of eerie unease to the scene.

Rendered in watery layers of acrylic paint, “Cowgore” mirrors the flat, cartoon-like colors of its source material, though these colors are faded and washed out, diverging from their original saturated inspiration. Charcoal is used to recreate the harsh lines where the original cartoon figures had sharp ink outlines, further enhancing the distorted and haunting quality of the work.

Beyond its initial visual impact, “Cowgore” speaks to deeper themes of commercialization and the commodification of food in American culture. It comments on how powerful, well-financed marketing campaigns have manipulated the emotions and misplaced loyalties of many Americans, often at the expense of their health. The transformation of food into a product driven by profitability has led to the inclusion of dangerous chemicals and plastics in many consumables. The painting serves as a stark reminder of how far removed our food has become from its natural origins, prioritizing profit over nutritional value and safety. By using familiar, nostalgic images in a disturbing context, “Cowgore” challenges viewers to reflect on the darker side of consumer culture and the consequences of prioritizing profit over well-being.