Threadless T-Shirts - The burning monk(ey)

The burning monk(ey)

Submitted by:

kaloyster
on Apr 10 '07

More by kaloyster

→ See all 21 designs

Average score:

2.04 out of 5

Number scored:

2,248 people

Scoring finished:

391 days ago

Comments:

14 comments

Design forum

kaloyster on Apr 04 '07

"He never moved a muscle, never uttered a sound."

Depending on the shirt, this design can go from 1 up to 4 colors. See my flickr account for more color options.

No primates were harmed during the making of this design.

6 days later

metronomad on Apr 10 '07

poor monkey... tsk tsk

hotmonkeytoday on Apr 10 '07

wow, I guess for oviouse reasons I have to give this a 5. lol

skipcronin on Apr 10 '07

awesome. but what was he protesting? banana prices? i'd wear this.

theurbanraptor on Apr 10 '07

seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexy

brandnewvelcro on Apr 10 '07

At first glance, I definetly thought it was a fireman.

Randalstik on Apr 10 '07

nobody thinks this is in poor taste? Awesome illustration but don't like the reference.

chelly on Apr 10 '07

lol @ hotmonkeytoday

igotadonothindegree on Apr 10 '07

reminds me of the velveteen rabbit story

ckurtin on Apr 10 '07

do i really want a monkey burning on my shirt? i think not.

lunchboxbrain on Apr 10 '07

looks great on the back of the black hoody. nice work k. 5

waltponce on Apr 10 '07

Yes, love the hoodie design the most. I also wish there was a way to get the quote ON the hoodie. Maybe around the hood or I dunno, you're the designer, you figure it out.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Makes Cows Mad on Apr 10 '07

Hopefully this isnt just a hoody for the ladies? Non-centered on the chest is nice, but i also like it centered back.

anonymityisbest on Apr 10 '07

its a reference to the monks in vietnam lighting themselves on fire to protest Diem presidency, radelstik

edjuvreason on Apr 10 '07

I can barely see the monkey unless I look for him.
Which is a good thing, you could wear it in public and people would just see flames rather than a burning "monk."

osunickerbocker on Apr 10 '07

i seen that monk that burned himself in protest in one of my history books its gross

backtozero on Apr 10 '07

hawt!!

sylmatil on Apr 10 '07

Sorry, but I wouldn't wear something that makes light of the Vietnamese protest.

prettyinpaint on Apr 10 '07

Anyone that really understands what this references wouldn't wear this in public. It's almost mean.

kaloyster on Apr 11 '07

First of all, thank you very much to those who appreciate and like this design. It means so much to me.

Now, what I don't understand is why others say this is offensive or not wearable in public, when all I did was do a parody of one of the most famous photograph taken in history. I mean, what's so Vietnamese about this design? Why is this offensive and mean? Even more what's gross about this? So you mean self-immolation for a great cause offends you? Really, why is this offensive?

It's sad thinking that I made everything perfect and ready about this design for others not to appreciate this and say rude things about it. Threadless public voters are really unpredictable :(

Go ahead, if you really hate my design that much give it a zero. It's so disappointing. And to think that this is my most favorite artwork I made. You can't even appreciate the art, time and effort I put to this :(

This is a t-shirt designing contest.

"It's a t-shirt.

hyperappart on Apr 11 '07

great picture

fatheed on Apr 11 '07

Ok. I understand what you're saying about time and effort, and it technically looks good - but I do think it is slightly naive to think that this will not be offensive to some people. It is a famous image - but because it documents one of the most remarkable protests ever. It astonishes everyone who sees it because it is a man committing suicide in the most horrifying and public way because he believes so strongly in his cause and he wants the world to know it. I think your satirization of this image trivialises and belittles this event and is slightly disrespectful to the monk and the cause he died for - also because your design likens the dying man to a monk(ey)! Which isn't even clever wordplay. Most, not all, people who recognise the original image will think this design too tactless.

So – try a pastiche of something that people don’t mind being parodied. Chin up! It’s a good illustration. Its just the concept is a bit hot. No pun intended. I’m giving you a 3 :-)

L337Kirara on Apr 11 '07

the artwork does look amazing, especially with the back placement
it's just the story behind it is sad

kaloyster on Apr 11 '07

Here are some color options.

IMHO, I think Dakota Slate and Heather Grey are nice.

ChristyJade on Apr 11 '07

i like it...it did make me sad for a moment when thinking about the poor monk :( but then just remembered its a design for a shirt and think its brilliant...looks great, the colours and size etc :D perfect

Crabhat on Apr 11 '07

I have to agree with fatheed. It's a wonderfully executed illustration but it will probably have the same effect on most people as if you'd used the kid stopping the tanks at Tianenman Square. Given that our countries are locked in yet another pointless and destructive war at the moment, it's bound to raise hackles. On the other hand, turn that skillful hand of yours to a Bush or a Blair on fire and you'll have a fan club.

Orange~On~Orange on Apr 11 '07

I also agree, well crafted - poor taste.

Velvet Jones on Apr 11 '07

$5 all the way. Print now.

SuperPope on Apr 11 '07

C'mon, kaloyster! The only offensive jokes you're allowed to make on Threadless involve communism and Jesus! Didn't you get the memo?

Lhiiiz on Apr 11 '07

The illustration is indeed beautiful, but the minute I saw it I wasn't thrilled with the reference material for reasons seen above. Just copy and paste fatheed here basically.

arabiantealeaves on Apr 11 '07

more detail on the monkey's face

TheloniusMnk on Apr 11 '07

I couldn't have said it better than Fatheed.

ZackariousOctopon on Apr 11 '07

If art were judged solely on the time and effort put into it, There would be no reason for art.

ZackariousOctopon on Apr 11 '07

expression is based on the ability ot communicate, not the attempt at it.

atticusgifford on Apr 12 '07

Great design. Back of the black hoodie is great, the side placement is also good. Front-and-center doesn't do anything for me. $5

camdog on Apr 12 '07

Took me forever to find the monkey, all i could see was a llama.
(that backwards C diagonal upwards left of the monkeys mouth threw me)
Its kewl.
The idea is good, so long as you understand where its come from.

Tuppe on Apr 12 '07

Personally, I like this burn much better.

sweetrhymepurereason on Apr 12 '07

sorry, no. Fatheed said it and I agree. It's a beautiful illustration but it not okay. You're so good at fire; make something else burn.

RUTH1 on Apr 12 '07

Beautiful design but very bad taste.

holynazi on Apr 12 '07

wow i love this shirt. i dont know why its a monkey, please dont tell me youre comparing buddhist monks to monkeys. cuz im buddhist...

Nakezer on Apr 12 '07

Wonderful design. I apreciate all the effort and thought you put into it.

Could we burn logs instead?
Well, actualy that would probably change the whole concept, so nevermind. If I were to wear it, I like it on the back.

5 bucks for the design, though.

ISABOA on Apr 12 '07

wonderful job - 5$

shirtflirt on Apr 12 '07

equating a tibetan monk to a monkey may be a little weird.

but this is a nicely done piece.

w/o the historical ref it's a 5.
w it's a 3.

travioli on Apr 12 '07

I feel absolutely terrible for laughing at this, but I get it. I think the design is very good but I would not wear it because I would be too afraid of offending someone. 5

Tawnsley on Apr 12 '07

People where I'm from have their heads up their butts and wouldn't totally get it, but oh well.
I'd buy it- and wear it.

ron808 on Apr 12 '07

Heather gray would make it look OLD.

I like the other three-slate, burgundy & black.

5 BANANAS!

saging!

Olivia Rival on Apr 12 '07

I love it! $5

elgrandeloco on Apr 12 '07

no hatin', only congratulatin'
I couldn't design something like that.
Maybe he's protesting testing on animals or the destruction of the rainforests.
On the other hand, I own shirts with serial killers on them. I throw no stones.

mollyric on Apr 12 '07

It is a great design idea. However, I don't like the idea behind it. That Monk's sacrifice was a sacred one and this satire (while appreciated) mocks the idea behind his actions. Good luck on this though. Don't get too upset about people's reactions. If they are reacting this strongly then it must mean you did something right. Its a damn good design and you should be proud of it, even if I hate the idea of it.

HulkHands on Apr 12 '07

I think its really cool looking, until you realize its a stupida ss monkey/

RedUnderTheBed on Apr 13 '07

Nah, doesn't do much for me.

K-netic on Apr 13 '07

I couldn't tell it was a monkey until I read the description. It just looked like flaming poop. Which some people might like anyway.

I think it sparks debate because usually when you refer to somebody as a monkey/chimp/baboon it's derogatory. And since it's a very realistic depiction, the humor is lost. If it were more cartoonish I think it would have gotten better responses.

On one hand you call it a parody, on the other you stand on a soap box about self-immolation for a great cause. Which is it?

mezo on Apr 13 '07

Concept aside, I don't like the art. It has an aesthetic shape, but it looke like a yellow pee stain. It's really hard to see actual flames. And I can't make out the red areas inside. You claim there's a monkey, but I don't believe you! 2

kaloyster on Apr 13 '07

It's a parody that instead of a monk protesting against Diem presidency, it's a monkey protesting against cruelty to zoo animals; keeper being smelly, lack of food ration etc. I'm just too lazy to make a lame story behind it.

If this is poop, does this look poop to you, K-netic?

And please, submit some designs.

paulrodeo on Apr 13 '07

Good illustration.
Terrible, terrible taste.

chris.vill on Apr 13 '07

Great illustration! Wouldn't buy it or wear it.

BlueandYellow on Apr 13 '07

i like it...but definitely would not buy it :/

jenables on Apr 13 '07

i agree. poor reference. co-opt of resistance. poor. poor.

welshalex on Apr 13 '07

At first I thought you were joking with all that self pity 'people have said nasty things' crap.
It is offensive because someone gave their life for something they thought was important, and you have turned it into a stupid pun to try & win $2000.

TopJamen on Apr 14 '07

I don't know if I could do that to protest...

poor monk.

:|

badzen on Apr 14 '07

oh, Buddha!

Greenicus on Apr 14 '07

It is really well done.

but i wouldn't buy it. on the premise of the subject matter it is poking fun at. I give it a 4. Well done, cheeky idea. But while i generally love things that follow this vein. this doesn't fly for the political ideals and motives behind the original action.

vv33 on Apr 15 '07

I_ am_Moose on Apr 15 '07

I loved the design before I understood it. This is in really bad taste.

joolya on Apr 15 '07

You are extremely sensitive, considering your average score for 8954 designs is 0.93.

Enough people have taken time to explain their viewpoint thoughtfully to you, and you aren't even considering what they have to say. You have a lot to learn.

BobbyAnderson on Apr 16 '07

i dig it my man.

eka345 on Apr 16 '07

I agree with fatheed completely. Your designs are impressive and I hope that one of your designs win, but I don't think this will be (or should be) published

kaloyster on Apr 16 '07

I knew someone would look up my scoring average. Well FYI, that's not bad if you look at this, so don't make that a basis. It would've been higher if majority stop subbing FWF designs and such.

I think I'll just submit this to tshirthell, then.

And Bobby, thanks! :D

thejoefive on Apr 16 '07

go with black with design on the sign. Love it though.

kikikicks on Apr 16 '07

Flames are passe. Cute idea though.
xo

Molloich on Apr 17 '07

the man burned himself to death good god man you turned him into a monkey! anyways the drawing is rad though and a little smaller would look better on shirt.

20 days later

shadow_shrine on May 07 '07

=p im back.

shadow_shrine on May 07 '07

cool.. i mean HOT! =p im back.

193 days later

Drag0nxtc on Nov 16 '07

im buddhist and i find this design very offensive. he burned himself for a good cause and you turned him into a burning monkey on a shirt. to have a monkey represent a buddhist monk is bad enough.

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