Princess & Queen

1 artwork

  • Queen In Blood Diamonds Negative Silkscreen Print by Jamie Reid

    Jamie Reid Queen In Blood Diamonds Negative Silkscreen Print by Jamie Reid

    Queen In Blood Diamonds Negative Silkscreen Print by Jamie Reid Hand-Pulled on Wove Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork. 2020 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 250 Artwork Size 17x24.5 Silkscreen Print of Elizabeth II Queen of England In Demonic Style With Words "God Save Great Britain" Art Car Boot Fair Edition Queen In Blood Diamonds: Negative Silkscreen Print by Jamie Reid The Queen In Blood Diamonds silkscreen print by Jamie Reid, produced in 2020, is a provocative and thought-provoking example of street pop art. Measuring 17x24.5 inches, this limited edition artwork features a bold depiction of Queen Elizabeth II with demonic undertones and the message God Save Great Britain superimposed on her image. Reid, a British artist known for contributing to the punk movement, notably through his work with the Sex Pistols, continues his tradition of rebellious and politically charged artwork with this striking print. Limited to 250 signed and numbered editions, this piece exemplifies the blending of iconic symbols and social commentary defining street pop and graffiti art. The Queen and the Iconography of Power in Street Pop Art In this particular silkscreen, Reid aims at one of the most iconic figures of modern British history: Queen Elizabeth II. The queen has long symbolized British power, empire, and tradition. However, Reid's depiction is far from a respectful portrait. Instead, the queen's face is rendered in an almost demonic, grotesque style, with dark red and black tones accentuating the sinister undertones of the piece. The term Blood Diamonds in the title invokes the historical controversy surrounding the British Empire's involvement in exploiting colonial resources, often at the cost of human lives. Reid's work here critiques the monarchy's complicity in these injustices. The phrase God Save Great Britain in this context starkly contrasts the typical reverence shown toward the British monarchy. It evokes the infamous slogan God Save the Queen, which Jamie Reid first subverted in his earlier work with the Sex Pistols. His use of cut-out, ransom-note-style letters in this print creates an atmosphere of disruption, a common technique in street pop art and graffiti artwork. This approach challenges the viewer to question established narratives of national identity, power, and loyalty to the crown. Hand-Pulled Silkscreen: A Process of Rebellion The process of creating this limited edition piece further aligns with the ethos of street pop art and graffiti. Each print in this series is hand-pulled on fine art wove paper, meaning no two prints are identical. This manual technique adds a layer of authenticity and rawness to the artwork. In a world increasingly dominated by mass production, hand-pulled prints maintain a sense of individuality and craftsmanship, much like the street murals and graffiti tags found in urban environments. Reid's background in graphic design and political activism informs the aesthetic choices in this print. The silkscreen technique allows for bold, flat areas of color, which are characteristic of pop art. At the same time, the rough texture of the print, with its distressed quality, echoes the ephemeral nature of graffiti. The dark red splatters in the background evoke blood, reinforcing the message of imperial exploitation and violence. The contrast between the smooth, almost glossy appearance of the queen's face and the chaotic, gritty background symbolizes the disparity between the polished image of royalty and the harsh realities of history. Punk, Pop, and Political Street Art Jamie Reid's involvement with the punk movement is essential to understanding this piece's political and rebellious nature. In the late 1970s, his designs for the Sex Pistols, including the iconic God Save the Queen cover, used collage techniques, ransom-note typography, and defaced images of British symbols to protest against the establishment. The Queen In Blood Diamonds continues this legacy of punk subversion, where art serves as a form of resistance and provocation. This print also embodies the characteristics of street pop art and graffiti's confronaggressiveand use of public, recognizable symbols. As a figurehead of the establishment, the queen becomes a target for critique. Much like street art and graffiti, which often reclaim public spaces for the people, this print seeks to reclaim cultural symbols to question and dismantle the status quo. Reid's use of the queen in this manner invites viewers to rethink their assumptions about authority and tradition, much like graffiti artists challenge the sanitized spaces of the modern city. The demonic style in which Reid renders the queen's face can also be linked to the tradition of grotesque satire in British art, which dates back to artists like William Hogarth. By distorting the features of one of the most recognizable faces in the world, Reid transforms her from a symbol of stability and continuity into a symbol of corruption and complicconspiracytorical violence. The bright red splashes evoke the violence of bloodshed, while the grinning expression adds a layer of unsettling irony to the piece. Limited Edition and the Significance of the 2020 Release This limited edition of 250 prints was produced in 2020, a year marked by significant social and political upheaval worldwide. In the context of the global pandemic, rising protests against systemic racism, and increased scrutiny of historical injustices, Queen In Blood Diamonds becomes a powerful statement about the need to confront uncomfortable truths about history and power. The year 2020 also saw renewed debates over the legacy of colonialism, with many calling for greater accountability and reparations for the crimes committed in the name of empire. Reid's decision to produce this piece during such a turbulent time adds another layer of urgency to its message. By releasing this print in 2020, Reid ensures that the themes of exploitation, power, and resistance remain as relevant as ever. In this context, the queen is not just a historical figure but a symbol of the enduring structures of authority that continue to shape our world today. As with much of Reid's work, this piece is not merely a work of art but a call to action, a visual protest that demands a response from its audience. Queen In Blood Diamonds by Jamie Reid is a powerful example of street pop and graffiti artwork. It blends the iconic with the grotesque, using the figure of Queen Elizabeth II to critique the legacy of British imperialism and the ongoing injustices that stem from it. Through its hand-pulled silkscreen process, bold use of color, and politically charged imagery, the print stands as both a piece of art and a statement of defiance.

    $750.00

Princess & Queen
Princesses and queens have long been a recurrent theme in popular culture, often symbolizing beauty, power, and status. In the world of contemporary art, particularly in pop art, street art, and graffiti, these figures have been adopted and reimagined, often with a touch of subversion or social commentary. Instead of depicting the traditional imagery of fairy tales and monarchies, artists delve into complex narratives, challenging norms and questioning societal constructs through their work. Pop art, a movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, draws inspiration from popular and commercial culture. Artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol have used imagery from mass media and advertising, and similarly, princesses and queens have been depicted in this context. For instance, Warhol's iconic prints of Queen Elizabeth II, part of his "Reigning Queens" series, utilized the pop art style to portray the monarch in a different light, transforming her from a royal figure into a pop culture icon. This reflects pop art's essence, which often aims to blur the boundaries between 'high' art and 'low' culture. Similarly, in street art and graffiti, princesses and queens play a significant role. As a largely unregulated form of expression, these art forms offer artists the chance to provide commentary on social and political issues. Banksy, one of the most notable street artists, often includes powerful female figures in his work. His stenciled graffiti piece of Queen Victoria sitting on a woman's face is a perfect example of this approach, challenging the traditional depiction of queens and highlighting themes of sexuality and power dynamics. While Banksy uses satire to critique power, other artists like Shepard Fairey use these royal figures to promote empowerment and equality. Fairey's "Obey Giant" campaign, known for its iconic image of Andre the Giant, also features a queen figure as part of its imagery. This queen, with her crown replaced by the word "Obey," is a call to challenge authority and societal norms. In a different vein, the New York-based street artist Swoon uses the imagery of princesses and queens to explore themes of femininity and resilience. Her life-sized wheatpaste prints often feature women in regal, queen-like attire, yet in everyday, urban settings. Her work aims to celebrate the strength and beauty of women, positioning them as queens of their own domains. The work of these artists underscores the versatility of princess and queen imagery in pop art, street art, and graffiti. By reinterpreting these traditional figures, they challenge societal norms, question power structures, and celebrate female strength. They take symbols of royalty and transform them into something relatable and accessible, bridging the gap between the high-culture association of royalty and the everyday reality of the streets. In the world of graffiti and street art, the representation of princesses and queens goes beyond mere portraiture or iconography. It's about making statements, pushing boundaries, and challenging the status quo. Whether it's Banksy's satirical take on Queen Victoria, Shepard Fairey's queen figure as a symbol of rebellion, or Swoon's celebration of everyday queens, the princess and queen theme serves as a powerful tool for social commentary and critique. As we continue to witness the evolution of pop art, street art, and graffiti, the portrayal of princesses and queens will undoubtedly remain a vital part of the artistic discourse. These depictions, while drawn from traditional symbols of power and beauty, have been reimagined to resonate with contemporary audiences, offering insightful perspectives on society, culture, and the human experience. In this way, the princess and queen theme in these art forms serves as a reflection of our times, capturing the zeitgeist and opening dialogues on critical issues.
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