Jason Mecier an artist best known for his portraits made from different things ranging from trash to candy and now he’s facing backlash over his Whitney Houston tribute. Although the official cause of Whitney’s death has not been released, there has been a lot of assumption that prescription medicine was a factor. Know her past and that prescription pills were found in Whitney’s hotel room, Mecier decided create a “pill portrait” of Whitney and many are calling it insensitive. Find out what he thinks and see a pic of the “pill portrait” below.
The Huffington Post Gay Voices: What was the first memorial portrait you did and where did the inspiration for it come from?
Jason Mecier: I was originally hired by Glamour UK magazine to do pill portraits of Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, Courtney Love and Kelly Osbourne to illustrate an article about substance abuse in Hollywood. Since then I have found it to be the perfect medium to memorialize other tragic deaths like Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston.What did Whitney Houston mean to you personally?
Whitney was the sountrack to the ’80s and ’90s. I LOVE “The Bodyguard.” And I loved to watch her on “Being Bobby Brown.” She is very compelling and a huge talent.Do you ever worry that the portraits might be seen as offensive?
No, I do not worry about that.What do you say to those people who find your depictions to be insensitive?
I agree they are sad, ironic and evocative. As an artist you want to raise these emotions. I find these pieces more honest than disrespectful. I consider it a colorful tribute. I couldn’t spend hours and days working on an art piece if I didn’t care.As an artist, are there any topics that you consider off-limits?
No.What do you hope that viewers take away from a piece like the Whitney Houston pill portrait?
I prefer each person decide what it means to them.
