The recent annual Art issue of W Magazine features an artistic portrait of Michelle Obama with her daughter Sasha, painted by Elizabeth Peyton.
Famous for her portraits of celebrities and politicians, Peyton usually takes inspiration from existing images such as photos and album covers. She transforms these images into a painting that is infused with an ideal and androgynous beauty.
For this portrait, Elizabeth Peyton used a photo of Michelle and Sasha Obama at the democratic convention as Barack Obama accepted the presidential nomination.
If you’d like to explore more of Peyton's work, The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York is currently running a retrospective exhibit, “Live Forever: Elizabeth Peyton,” through January 11, 2009. The exhibit will then travel to Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center, London’s Whitechapel Gallery, and the Bonnefanten museum in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Celebrity Portraiture
- The trend of celebrity portraits by artists creates opportunities for innovative marketing and brand extensions.
- Transformation of Existing Images
- Transforming existing images into works of art through painting or other mediums enables opportunities for creative expression and new market niches.
- Idealized and Androgynous Beauty
- Growing appreciation for paintings that depict idealized and androgynous beauty, allows opportunities for artists to create unique styles and inspire new artistic movements.
Sectors Adopting This
- Fine Arts
- This trend presents opportunities for artists, galleries, and art dealers who want to create unique art pieces or exhibit the works of celebrity artists.
- Entertainment and Media
- Celebrities, publishers, and art directors who have access to existing images can leverage this trend to create unique art projects, branding opportunities, and marketing campaigns.
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Galleries, museums, and art centers can leverage this trend to create a unique exhibition, workshop, or event that can attract potential tourists as well as local art enthusiasts.
