This painting was created for the Sydney Mardis Gras Art Prize (Outloud 2007) which it subsequently went on to win. Inspired by Madonna's 'Confessions' tour imagery, it was intended as representation of gay iconography and cult the status of high profile media personalities. The name "Madonna of the Ghetto" is an homage to Da Vinci's "Madonna of the Grotto" and a reference to gay 'ghettos' around the world