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Artist: Ron English
Title: R2D2 Grin
Year: 2017
Size: 25,4 cm x 25,4 cm (10 inch x 10 inch) without frame
Medium: Sustainable Birch, bright white finish
Edition: 50
Signed: Handsigned
Framed: yes, white wooden frame
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Ministry of Walls Street Art Gallery
Ron English – R2D2 Grin
It is a long way from the ghost painter to the symbol, whose work is highly popular and widely known. Ron English experienced both extremes when he went the same way, which included working as an anonymous painter for other artists. But he also reached the level of popularity and fame that is simply amazing. Sure, today’s people are a little loose when it comes to branding certain artists as icons and legends, but English is certainly one. His pieces are easily recognizable. Inspiring to others, and so influential that they actually had an impact on the 2008 American presidential election.
POPaganda:
The term POPaganda was coined to describe the artist’s constant mixing of high and low art. When it comes to art, he has done pretty much everything. He is one of the founding fathers of street art, he designs toys and sculptures, and he paints. One of his trademarks is the kidnapping of advertising posters. He reworks them in the same style, but with the characters of his own creation. The attention to detail is very high and this is due to his previous experience as an art reproducer. Speaking of English inspirations, Picasso’s Guernica is at the top of the list, as are the works of Keith Haring, Peter Saul and Martin Wong. Gordon Matta-Clark’s approach, which was much less restrictive of his creative process, was also very influential in English.
The beginnings were frustrating for the artist when he worked as a ghost painter for other artists and was not accredited. However, this kind of work offered many opportunities to improve what was already there and to learn new techniques. When he was younger, English began his now characteristic poster abduction. First in Texas, he managed to redo many of them before he was finally caught and charged with a second-degree crime. Things have changed over the years, and although repainting billboards is still a crime, people now give him billboards. He does them a favor by remodeling them. The Dandy Warhols and Slash are some of the musicians for which the English made artwork. The notoriety reached new heights when he appeared in an episode of Simpsons alongside Shepard Fairey and Kenny Scharf.
The Legend:
What does it mean to be a street art legend? Is the secret simply to gaining fame and fortune, or is there more? If your plays become so widespread, so popular and so influential that they actually have an impact on the US presidential election, then you are a legend. Ron English has conquered the world of art with his flawless techniques and infinite inspiration. He is one of the godfathers of poster art that interested him. The writing on the billboard seemed to have a higher level of authority than the writing on the walls. So he began to paint his messages about the advertisements and spread the truth.
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