Lord of the Onion Rings by Dave MacDowel 

Editor: This is Dave MacDowel's, “Lord of the Onion Rings,” an acrylic painting that feels… strange. I mean, it’s a pop-surrealist portrait of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, but he's wearing a “Booger King” crown and holding a tray of fast food. What’s going on here? What do you make of this piece? Curator: Oh, it’s wonderfully grotesque, isn’t it? At first glance, it's a playful subversion, a clash of high fantasy and fast-food culture. But, look closer. The “precious” ring is now an onion ring, shimmering with a divine light in the background – a new object of unhealthy obsession. Editor: Right, there’s a definite obsession vibe, a critique of consumerism maybe? Curator: Perhaps, but also consider the deeper resonances. Gollum, consumed by his desire for the Ring, now embodies our own insatiable cravings. That burger, those fries… they become symbols of our own weaknesses. Is it cultural commentary or a mirror reflecting our collective, guilty pleasures? And who is "Booger King"? The pun feels deliberate and adds a humorous but ironic dimension. Does that reading resonate with you? Editor: It does. I see now how MacDowel layers satire with something darker about desire and, like, the junk we consume, both literally and metaphorically. Curator: Exactly! It’s an invitation to confront the ‘Gollum’ within ourselves, wrestling with our own "precious". It’s clever and very funny when you realize you have similar struggles in your real life. Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. This definitely changes how I see both the painting, and maybe even my next fast-food meal! Curator: Indeed! Art, like a good onion ring, can be surprisingly layered. It’s often funny until it’s true.