Celebrities stripped back to the
bone as pop artist recreates stars including Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe
and Amy Winehouse as ghoulish skulls
- George
Ioannou became famous in the 1990s when he launched a collection depicting
iconic movie scenes
- His work
now sells for up to £30,000 and clients include Adele and Roman Abramovich
- This new
series of 13 paintings depict the skulls of internationally known
celebrities from the past and present
- 'I am
fascinated by how the legacy of the true icons continues to grow long
after the real person has gone,' he says
By Toni Jones
George Ioannou,
the British pop-artist famous for his iconic ‘Gangster Art’ is back with a new
series of paintings which strip iconic celebrity culture to the bone –
literally.
Ioannou first
came to fame in the late 1990s when he launched a collection of ground breaking
paintings depicting iconic scenes from cult movies.
His interpretations of the Al Pacino character, Tony Montana in the 1983 film Scarface created a style which made Ioannou one of the UK’s most collectable modern artists.
His interpretations of the Al Pacino character, Tony Montana in the 1983 film Scarface created a style which made Ioannou one of the UK’s most collectable modern artists.
The
Croydon-born artist's work now sells for around £30,000 for an original and his
clients include singer Adele, oligarch Roman Abramovich and Dragon’s Den star
Theo Paphitis.
George Ioannou,
the British pop-artist famous for his iconic 'Gangster Art' exhibition is back
with a new series of paintings, including Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe,
which strip iconic celebrity culture to the bone
Ioannou first
came to fame in the late 1990s when he launched a collection of ground breaking
paintings depicting iconic scenes from cult movies. His latest work recreates
famous people like Amy Winehouse and Freddie Mercury as ghoulish skulls
Other striking
images of popular icons through the ages such as Marilyn Monroe, Steve McQueen
and Jimi Hendrix were followed by more movie images – Michael Caine in Get
Carter and The Italian Job, John Travolta and Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction and
Jack Nicholson in The Shining.
Now, Ioannou
has unveiled a new celebrity inspired collection entitled ‘Dead Famous’.
The series of thirteen
paintings depict the skulls of internationally known celebrities from the past
and present.
Audrey Hepburn.
David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe and Bob Marley are among the stars given the spooky
pop art treatment.
Their bones are
laid bare with only small details added which make their true identities
unmistakable.
His
interpretations of the Al Pacino character, Tony Montana in the 1983 film
Scarface created a style which made Ioannou one of the UK's most collectable
modern artists, actress Audrey Hepburn and musician Bob Marley have been given
the Ioannou treatment for this new collection
Ioannou's work
has become sought after by investors and original prints can sell for up to
£30,000. Images of Jimi Hendrix and Elvis as skulls are expected to be among
the most popular in his Dead Famous work
‘I think the
power of these paintings is how they give so little away yet the small details
that remain tell a full story – hopefully part of the story behind the mask of
celebrity,’says the 38-year-old artist.
‘What makes a
person recognisable when they are stripped to the bone? Who made dreadlocks
famous? Who made bleach blonde hair or drop earrings iconic? And who made a bow
in their hair notorious?’ says Ioannou.
’I am
fascinated by the influence celebrities have on our lives and how the legacy of
the true icons continues to grow long after the real person has gone,' he says.
’The flesh
grows old but style lasts for ever.
His client list
includes Oscar winner Adele, oligarch Roman Abramovich and Dragon's Den star
Theo Paphitis, but who will snap up the latest canvas's featuring late Nirvana
star Kurt Cobain and singer David Bowie
The series of
thirteen paintings depicts celebrities, including Sid Vicious and Madonna, with
their bones laid bare and only small details added which make their true
identities unmistakable
Ioannou adds:
'People are visual by nature and iconic status is often defined by how
celebrities stand out from the pack in order to make a difference.
'But, which is
most important – a manufactured look or natural talent?
Ioannou also
runs an art collective from his coffee shop in Coulsdon, Surrey.
‘I think the
power of these paintings is how they give so little away yet the small details
that remain tell a full story – hopefully part of the story behind the mask of
celebrity,’ says the 38-year-old artist, who included singer Jim Morrison in
the collection