Re-interpreted historical paintings are hugely successful as pop culture memes, with the Mona Lisa's face often being replaced with a politician's and all manner of modern couples subbing in for the husband and wife of American Gothic. This particular example is titled 'In Yeezus We Trust,' and it features Kanye West as an American war hero.
Kanye commands a boat crewed by Big Sean, Travis $cott, Kanye West, Paul McCartney, Common, Jay Z, Kim Kardashian, Pusha T, Beyonce and Chief Keef. They are all dressed in early American military costumes, and as is often the way in American historical paintings, they are carrying the star-spangled banner with them.
The painting is available for purchase as a canvas print in very limited edition from N$VNE apparel.
Historical Rapper Paintings
This Historical Painting Shows Kanye West as an Early American Hero
Trend Themes
1. Re-interpreted Historical Paintings - The trend of re-interpreting historical paintings with popular culture figures opens up opportunities for disruptive innovations in art and digital media.
2. Pop Culture Memes - The trend of replacing iconic figures in historical artworks with pop culture icons presents opportunities for disruptive innovations in social media marketing and entertainment.
3. Limited Edition Collectibles - The trend of offering limited edition collectibles, like the canvas print of 'In Yeezus We Trust,' allows for disruptive innovations in the intersection of art and consumer goods.
Industry Implications
1. Art - The art industry can leverage re-interpreted historical paintings to create disruptive innovations in visual storytelling and cultural commentary.
2. Digital Media - The digital media industry can find disruptive innovation opportunities by incorporating pop culture memes into their content strategies or creating new platforms for sharing and engaging with these memes.
3. Consumer Goods - Consumer goods industries can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by collaborating with artists and designers to create limited edition collectibles inspired by popular culture and historical art.