The masterwork stands as a definitive milestone showcasing the deep process-based syntax and conceptual framework of Cristian Hunter’s acclaimed IWMYAS series. This compelling mixed media photograph deliberately destabilizes traditional fashion portraiture by executing a visceral physical intervention directly on top of an archival Giclée print on premium metallic paper. Heavily influenced by Jean-Michel Basquiat's schematic iconography, the artist constructs an intricate, tribal-like skeletal framework and facial mask using heavy applications of industrial wax, textured acrylic, and gestural oil pastels. The resulting composition thrives on a powerful aesthetic friction between the polished perfection of the celebrity gaze underneath and the unyielding, primitive weight of the dark, sculptural pigments.
Hunter & Gatti wanted to pay tribute to the neo-expressionist Jane-Michel Basquiat's legacy by merging the celebrity portraits they had made in the past for fashion editorials and campaigns, featuring the most iconoclastic members of today's fashion scene, with Basquiat's paintings that transcend the limits of the art world and form part of our collective unconsciousness - just like the famous faces of their photos. Their idea was to create a series of original hybrids that explore the limits of popular culture, reflecting, at the same time, fashion’s ongoing interest in the art world.
This contemporary piece showcases a photograph intervened by the artists, imbuing it with unique textures and evocative layers that invite viewers to explore new perspectives.
Purchase this unique investment-grade mixed media photograph by Cristian Hunter, online directly from the The Art Design Project gallery.
