This  unique painting reflects my inquiry into the nature of originality  incontemporary art. In our pursuit of the authentic, must we ignore the  immense beauty and mastery of those who came before us? Why do we create art?  Is it for the artist's personal breakthrough, to leave a mark before we  depart, or to enrich others? A century ago, Duchamp's urinal made a powerful  statement. Today, a banana taped to a wall becomes famous. But what does this  really mean? Is it still a radical act, or just a repetition hidden as  something new? How much longer will we keep circling this?