This is a print by the contemporary artist, Shepard Fairey entitled Kiss Me Deadly. I think it's a really powerful piece in his Obey Giant collection, which is all about 'Make art, not war' and 'Peace > war'. In this particular print it shows a woman applying lipstick, but as you look closer, it isn't lipstick, it's a bullet that reads 'Kiss Me Deadly', it pretty much says flat out that the statement he's trying to make is of war being bad and deadly. A kiss of death, if you will. The artist uses many principles and elements of art in this piece. Balance: there is a bulls-eye in the center and directly over that is the bullet, the main focal point of the print. Line: he uses thick, almost cartoon-like, lines for everything except for the bullet/lipstick and the lips, which are more realistic than the former. This creates high contrast between the two and it emphasizes even more the words on the actual bullet. Color: Fairey does most of his work in this color scheme; red, black, cream/white. These colors contrast to make the piece very striking so that you'll want to look at it. Want to examine it and see what it's about.
Just as a side-note, this is the same artist that did Obama's 'Hope' Campaign ads.
Also, he did this really cool-looking Dio de los Muertos print that you might think about for the t-shirts or whatever.
Both were very interesting prints. Very well written and great graphics :)
ReplyDeleteNice blog, Emily! I agree with the lines that are used here, they are cartoon like except for the lips and the "lipstick", I guess it only makes the painting more realistic. I enjoyed reading this, it's interesting and well written like james said.
ReplyDeletei wonder if one of the messages of kiss me deadly is that we (american culture) sexualizes or glamorizes violence/war? Food for thought.
ReplyDeleteNice skull, btw.