FMS406SalmonM Contemporary Portrait that suggests Wealth.

'The Rape of Africa' 2009
By David La Chapelle.

This photograph is by the talented David La Chapelle. I chose this photograph as it inspired me most, when searching for a portrait that suggests wealth. Although the portraits primary symbolism does not focus on wealth, I felt that when I saw the image It symbolised wealth and power to me. The position of Naomi Campbell in this portrait, as if she is an Egyptian Goddess and the fact she is draped in gold accessories makes her appear wealthy and superior.  Also the small child in the corner of this portrait sits on a pile of gold and treasures, whilst wearing a crown and holding a gun again creates a theme of power and wealth. 

"The photograph, called The Rape of Africa, is a critique of consumerism, of a global society fuelled by greed and power. I made it right after the financial collapse, when we were being advised to invest in gold and gold production spiked tenfold. The irony is that by putting your money into a safer security like gold, you are ensuring more devastation, more climate change, more destruction in Mother Africa, where our species began. The shoot was like a circus: there were kids crying and goats and chickens running around. I enjoy the theatricality of putting shots together, with set-builders, make-up artists and models all working in unison. It's noisy, but I can focus in chaos. It took about 10 days to build the set but the process started long before that, with research, sketches and casting." The Guardian, Karin Andreasson, May 2014 ( David La Chapelle's best shot: Naomi Campbell and the Rape of Africa)". http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/may/29/my-best-shot-david-lachapelle-rape-of-africa-naomi-campbell.

Symbolism can be found in everything from, music videos, books, food, culture, imagery, film, fashion and even language. And something I have found most interesting whilst learning about symbolism and exploring it is that symbolism also depends on someones perception of the subject as, many people may see a theme symbolic wealth,  when observing an image and I may see something completely different.