The artwork titled “Perineum Tartare,” created by Robert Williams in 1993, is a notable example of the Lowbrow Art movement. The genre of this piece is figurative, and it showcases the distinctive visual style characteristic of the movement, which often includes a sense of subversion and a blend of popular culture influences with a fine art sensibility.
“Perineum Tartare” presents a dynamic and provocative scene. The artwork is vibrant and densely populated with both animate and inanimate subjects. In the foreground, a male figure—presumably a chef given his toque and the text “Patio Daddy-O” on his shirt—is seated, sipping from a small cup. His gaze appears contemplative while seemingly unaffected by the chaos that surrounds him. Adjacent to the chef is a table laden with a grotesque feast that features anthropomorphic entrails and organs engaging in various actions, some of which are interacting with the chef himself.
Behind this table, a female figure provocatively posed, displaying exaggerated and surreal body features, adds to the artwork’s charged atmosphere. Her attire is minimal, with particular attention drawn to her high-heeled, checkered boots. The background displays an almost apocalyptic landscape with grey skies and dilapidated structures, reinforcing the sense of disorder and rebellion inherent in the piece.
Throughout the artwork, there is a complex interplay of bright and contrasting colors, notably the bold yellows and blues, which intensify the scene’s impact. The overall composition is deliberately chaotic, blending various surreal and symbolic elements, thus invoking a visceral reaction and engaging the viewer with its audacious visual narrative.
