Spartacus 'Fresco' Features Liam And Noel Gallagher

Paul Karslake's new work depicting comtemporary heroes and villains shows the X-Factor judges fighting while Noel Gallagher beheads his Oasis bandmate Liam.

Geordie television presenters Ant and Dec watch and smirk from the sidelines as the carnage unfolds in the arena.

On the right of the 7ft by 5ft painting, actresses Joanna Lumley and Angelina Jolie pout while a surprisingly aggressive Rocket Man-era Elton John charges about wielding a shield and sword.

Karslake's painting, unveiled at Camden Market, marks the launch of Bravo's controversial TV show Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

At its centre is star of the show Andy Whitfield, who stands over two of his victims, one of them former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Welsh-born Whitfield is a man who epitomises courage both on and off-screen as he portrays the rebellious warrior slave Spartacus and in real life battles non-hodgkins lymphoma.

Describing his inspiration for the painting, Karslake said: "After watching several episodes of Spartacus, I was struck by how contemporary society holds just as much sex, violence and deception as it did in Roman times.

"Every day, modern day gladiators vie for our attention and are held up for our entertainment in a bid to win our affection, ratings or votes.

"If Simon Cowell had been around in Ancient Rome, would he be running Gladiatorial schools or does Gordon Brown's demise bear any resemblance to emperors of the past?"

Spartacus: Blood and Sand airs exclusively on Tuesdays at 10pm from Tuesday May 25 and stars Scottish actor John Hannah and Lucy Lawless.

Hannah, who plays Batiatus, owner of the Gladiator arena said: "I think we all like that historical world.

"We want to know where our society has come from and who we are, and what we were without the constraints of civilization.

"I think those kind of people still exist - they're just dressed in suits and pinstripe shirts now. I can see the modern parallels."

Historian and writer Natalie Hayes said: "Ancient Rome is no different from the modern world.

"We no longer watch chariot races or gladiatorial fights but we watch races just like Romans did - for us the chariots have become Formula 1 cars.

"Let's not pretend we don't watch with the same guilty excitement there might be a crash.

"And as for the gladiators? We watch plenty of battles today - whether it's the FA Cup, or the Wimbledon Men's Final - someone has to win, and someone has to lose.

"We bet money on the outcome, just like Romans. And the gladiatorial nature of our world isn't limited to the sporting arena: it's why Prime Minister's Questions is compelling TV - one man battling with another, as a crowd bays for more.

"It's why we watch Big Brother, as a crowd outside the house boos and cheers their favourite characters within.

"We're watching Spartacus: Blood and Sand for the sex, the violence, the swearing, the swords and the sandals.

"But we're also watching it because we see ourselves in our Roman ancestors."

The painting will be on show to the public at Marylebone Station all day Monday, protected by two fearsome gladiators.

Passers by are invited to admire the work and donate to The Lymphoma Association or Help for Heroes.

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

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