In February 2009 Rock Town Hall commissioned 14 artists from around the world to depict iconic scenes representing Bruce Springsteen’s ascendancy to the undisputed throne of rock. The Stations of the Boss initiative is an effort to shine a light on the frequently overlooked iconic projections of The Boss and His E Street Band. We know Him as a Humble Man, a Common Man, and a Man of the People, but too often the media and even his own handlers downplay the positively messianic effect His performances have on followers.
To help rectify these oversights we asked our artists to base their works on actual images from His performances. Our first Station in this series, Bruce Is Condemned to Rock, depicts the fateful 2008 Super Bowl performance, pictured above, that sealed Springsteen’s legacy.
Our artist, Toby Wetland, from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, USA, painted this scene in the style of Paul Gaugin‘s Jacob Wrestling with an Angel. “For years The Boss struggled with maintaining His identity within the group collective,” says Wetland. “Although He is clearly stunned by the ref’s judgment, I wanted the painting to hint at the comforting role His bandmates play in helping Him acccept His destiny as leader of the E Street Band and no other collection of musicians.”
The original work of art, Bruce Is Condemnned to Rock, follows the jump.
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