Killer Art

Issei Sagawa- $300

I came upon a strange collectibles movement a few years ago called "Murderabilia." This involves the collection of items, or art work relating to a murderer or sometimes the crime itself. Currently the biggest name in this certain industry is named Eric Gein.

Howard M. Belcher- $100

 His motives and market he created have been under hot debate for a while now because of how he is profiting from imprisoned killers and their victims. While he claims to not get much profit, nor does he give any money made from his business to the killers, his opponents say otherwise.

Philip Jablownski- $100

Personally, I would have to side with the family's victims. Regardless of the history that Gein says he is distributing through his site, it is a bit morbid and sad that people are even creating a market for this kind of work. Non-personally and with regards to our capitalist society, people do have the right to sell items that have a market, and when I first heard about these items, I admit to having a morbid curiosity as to the items being sold. I don't morally agree with the idea but I admit that as long as the killers are not profiting, and Gein is not doing anything illegal, he should be able to sell items he believes will make him profit. Its horrible and sad, but should he be held more accountable than cigarette and alcohol distributors who actually do kill people? Or even the literature and movies based on these criminals (Truman Capotes "In cold Blood...").

Glen Rodgers- $350

Now objectively speaking, after I browsed the website that sells the art, I have to say that it is majorly hyped and overpriced. Most of the art is downright horrible. I have tried to find the works that are the most aesthetically pleasing to put on this blog, but still the works I chose are very amateurish and not very good. Basically I can't imagine someone buying these works to show someone that the convicted murderer was actually a good artist. Rather I see it more as having pure shock value. I personally would not want these art works hanging on my wall while I try to explain to someone the life and times of the killer... I think I would be more OK with this site if all the profits went to the victims families and the art was actually good! Some of these painting range in price from 20 dollars to 1000!

So my message to Gein is this, your a sick man who has the full rights to do what you do. I hope tragedy like this doesn't happen to you, or someone may be selling a painting by your killer someday.