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.

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Boudica Is Coming to HPM Embellished 6-Color Silkscreen Print by Jamie Reid Hand-Pulled on Distressed 400gsm Reverse Optimum Grey Card Limited Edition Artwork. 2018 Signed By Both Artists HPM Acrylic Hand Embellished Stencil & Numbered Limited Edition of 350 Artwork Size 17x25 Silkscreen Print of Queen Boudica on Horse Chariot Next To Skyscraper Building Art Car Boot Fair Edition Hand Distressed Boudica Is Coming: HPM Embellished Silkscreen Print by Jamie Reid and James Cauty The artwork Boudica Is Coming is an exemplary piece in the fusion of street pop art and graffiti-inspired visuals. Created by renowned British artists Jamie Reid and James Cauty, this work is an homage to rebellious iconography and the modern urban landscape. It is a limited edition of 350, hand-pulled on distressed 400gsm Reverse Optimum Grey Card, giving each piece a distinctive texture. Measuring 17x25 inches, the work captures the essence of street art culture while linking it to historical references, most notably through the imagery of Queen Boudica. The Iconography of Boudica in Street Pop Art Boudica, the ancient warrior queen of the Iceni tribe, is a recurring figure in British rebellious iconography. In this particular piece, Reid and Cauty draw a direct line between the defiant spirit of Boudica and the countercultural movements that define much of contemporary street art. She is depicted riding her iconic horse-drawn chariot, wielding strength and power. The juxtaposition of her figure against the backdrop of a modern skyscraper highlights the tension between history and the relentless progress of urbanization. This contrast is a central theme in street pop art, where historical and cultural symbols are frequently re-contextualized in contemporary urban environments. The use of Boudica in this context transforms her from a historical figure into a symbol of ongoing resistance. By placing her against a looming urban tower block, the artists are making a statement about the enduring relevance of rebellion in modern life. This ties into the broader themes of street pop art, where everyday environments, societal norms, and the tension between authority and individualism are challenged. Distressed Aesthetic and Graffiti Influences The aesthetic choices in Boudica Is Coming reflect the rough and gritty style often associated with graffiti artwork. The silkscreen is printed on distressed grey card stock, adding texture and uniqueness to each print. The distressed elements create a worn, almost decaying look, contrasting with the piece's vibrant neon colors. This distressing technique is particularly effective in replicating the look and feel of urban street walls, where posters and graffiti interact with the elements, slowly eroding into new forms. Jamie ReReid'sackground in graphic design and punk rock visuals plays a vital role in the pipiece'sverall composition. His work with the Sex Pistols and his distinctive collage style, which often includes defaced and altered political symbols, resonates throughout this silkscreen. The stencil-like appearance of Boudica and her chariot is reminiscent of street tagging, a nod to graffiti arart'soots. Meanwhile, James Cauty, known for his work with the KLF and as part of the art collective The Grey Organisation, brings a postmodern, dystopian sensibility to the piece. Combining these two artists creates a visual dialogue between rebellion, decay, and the ever-evolving cityscape. Hand-pulled and Hand-Embellished Elements A vital aspect of this edition is its hand-pulled silkscreen printing process. Each print is not just mechanically reproduced but crafted with care, resulting in slight variations between editions, making each piece unique. The silkscreen process, especially in the hands of Reid and Cauty, imbues the work with a tactile quality that draws the viewer in. The bold, almost fluorescent colors demand attention, creating a dynamic contrast between the monochrome tower block and the vibrancy of the lettering and Queen BoBoudica'silhouette. Further enhancing the print is the hand-embellished acrylic stenciling. Each print has been individually embellished by the artists, adding layers of paint extending beyond traditional prints' flatness. This manual intervention by the artists adds depth and texture, reinforcing the sense of the handmade, a cornerstone of street art and graffiti practices. These embellishments ensure that no two prints are exactly alike, adding to the value and collectability of the piece. Queen Boudica in the Urban Landscape The juxtaposition of Queen Boudica against a towering skyscraper is not merely a visual choice but a statement. It speaks to the encroachment of modernity on history, tradition, and natural landscapes. Skyscrapers, often symbols of corporate power and modernity, stand in stark contrast to the ancient, organic power represented by Boudica and her horse-drawn chariot. In this sense, Boudica Is Coming embodies the tension between the past and present, nature and industry, rebellion and order. The use of bold text in the piece, announcing Boudica Is Coming, adds a sense of immediacy and urgency. It speaks to the viewer in the way street art does, with its direct, almost confrontational messaging. The message itself hints at the idea of resurgence or the return of something powerful and transformative. Boudica becomes a stand-in for any number of modern resistances, whether political, social, or cultural. This is what makes the piece stand out in the world of street pop art and graffiti artwork. It engages the viewer visually and intellectually, prompting them to consider the implications of rebellion in the context of the modern city. It bridges history and contemporary street culture, creating a dialogue between the two. Boudica Is Coming by Jamie Reid and James Cauty is a powerful piece of street pop art that blends historical iconography with contemporary urban landscapes. Through its silkscreen process, hand-embellished elements, and the distressed aesthetic, it captures the raw energy of street art while commenting on the enduring relevance of rebellion and resistance. ItIt'sot just a print, but a visual and cultural statement that resonates within the framework of modern graffiti and pop art movements.

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