Screen siren Marylin Monroe, supermodel Kate Moss and an iconic statue of Jesus Christ are just some of the subjects depicted in this crinkled art series by John McCarthy.
Inspired by Malcolm Morley and Vija Celmins' paintings from reproductions in the 60s, the artist experiments with a similar visual idea and uses second-hand images to create his striking masterpieces.
John McCarthy's works aim to take a second-hand image and to focus on it as an object. The result is a set of magazine advertisements and photographs that are stripped of their text and information. "The original message of each piece is lost and the painting develops an element of ambiguity".
Once he selects his images, the artist re-captures, creases and paints each image to create his final product.
Crinkled Cultural Icon Captures
John McCarthy Depicts Screen Sirens and Historical Subjects
Trend Themes
1. Second-hand Art - Artists are exploring the use of second-hand images to create their masterpieces, allowing for new levels of creativity and reinterpretation.
2. Ambiguous Paintings - Creators are stripping advertisements and photographs of their original message, resulting in ambiguous paintings that invite different interpretations from viewers.
3. Image Manipulation - Artists are experimenting with different techniques such as recapturing, creasing, and painting images to create unique works of art.
Industry Implications
1. Art - Artists are pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms and experimenting with new techniques and concepts to create captivating and thought-provoking works of art.
2. Advertising - The use of ambiguous paintings created from second-hand images may offer a new and innovative way for advertisers to reach their target audience and encourage them to interpret their advertisements in different ways.
3. Photography - Photographers are exploring the use of image manipulation to create striking and unique photographs that challenge traditional notions of the medium.