Ekphrasis

Perhaps you’re looking for a less complicated work for your guests to admire? Here’s a snowman with a halo. Surely, no one would take offense at this, even committed atheists hellbent on purging all society of religious symbols that provide any measure of comfort to the forlorn. Still, the impermanence of snow—even above the arctic circle—may suggest that even guardian angels are not forever, so this painting may, in fact, inspire feelings of despair within the viewer. Fear not: just tell viewers that it’s not a halo, but that it’s an extremely primitive castration device for warthogs.