Iconoclast

Iconoclast is a term coined to refer to the purposeful destruction of religious icons and figures. Iconoclasm does not always have to refer to the destruction of just religious icons though, it can also refer to the destruction of other important symbols and figures. Iconoclasm surprisingly has been going on for centuries. Past cultures were deconstructing the religious figures and gods from the olden days to say a political or religious statement. I feel as if iconoclasm as become a lot more harsh in the modern era. With shock art, artists are not afraid to express their deepest inner feelings regarding their dissatisfaction towards politics or religion. Modern iconoclasts also have the technology and ways to really trashify religious figures. For example, when Orlan did her piece "Madonna of the Garage, she turned the religious figure into a part of a mechanic shop, although good art, it was a trashy statement towards religion.