‘The Breakup’ by Michael Rakowitz
Art: Courtesy of the artist and Rhona Hoffmann Gallery

A lifelong fan of the Beatles, Chicago artist Michael Rakowitz chose the group’s disbanding as a metaphor for the political strife in the Middle East and his own struggles as an Arab Jew.

In The Breakup (pictured), Rakowitz collaged portraits of important players in the Palestinian and Israeli conflict onto the iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album art.

That’s Muammar al-Qaddafi next to George Harrison. “He blends in perfectly as the fifth Beatle,” says Rakowitz, whose exhibit (also called The Breakup) is on view at Rhona Hoffman Gallery through February 22.