Bullet Hole Mickey

About Bullet Hole Mickey

In this provocative pop art painting by Viktor Mitic, Mickey Mouse, a much loved Disney character is rendered as a line drawing coloured in pale blue against a bright orange background. Mitic created a controversial series of paintings using famous images that he then fired rounds of live ammunition into. It was a bold effort to engage viewers in a conversation about violence. The use of real guns to shoot up the edges of the painting creates a ‘connect-the-dot’ effect as the gunpowder burns appear in concentric circles. ‘Black Mickey’ is intended to deliver a strong message against violence by merging a popular peaceful image with a jarring disturbance. In February 2024, Mitic was featured in the article 'The Art of Viktor Mitic' the Nanette's New Life Blog. Read the article

“The piece conveys a nuanced message, blending the iconic innocence of Mickey Mouse with the harsh reality of extreme violence.” Viktor Mitic

“Mitic, though he chooses not to identify as an activist, seeks to contribute to the sobering discussion of violence as integral in pop culture, and the absurdity of commodifying death and tools of destruction.” Laura Thipphawong, Artist, Writer and Historian

Viktor Mitic is a Canadian artist who was born in Serbia. As a young man, he attended various art schools for classical training in Europe. After immigrating to Canada at age 20, he earned a BFA from the University of Toronto in 1995 and took additional studies in art history at Sheridan College. He has exhibited his post-Pop inspired paintings, prints and colourful abstract sculptures at the Muramatsu Gallery in Tokyo, The Armory Show in NYC, Art Chicago and Toronto. His work is held in corporate, private, and public collections.