(SCH)MERZ

Friedrich Merz?

More like Friedrich Sch[MERZ].

Why Friedrich Merz in particular: I was motivated by his racist comments about the cityscape and other homophobic and sexist statements. 

These “sch[MERZ]ful” statements make me want to silence him. In the picture, this is symbolically represented by the thread: because I can actually hold the thread
in my hand, as a viewer I really feel like I have the power to “sew his mouth shut.”
For me, the colorful and abstract background represents the contrast to Merz, who is supposed to appear gray, plain, and boring.

The flowers further emphasize this contrast. The quote “this is a vacation for the brain” is from the song of the same name by the rap band “KIZ.” When I saw the expression on Merz's face while painting this portrait, I thought of this quote and decided to combine the song with the portrait in this form.