Pop Masters at the Home of Arts - Finale!

Hello art lovers, this week marks the conclusion of our review of the Pop Masters exhibit at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) in the Gold Coast. It's incredible how much you can take away from a single art exhibition of this calibre. I feel incredibly blessed that so many beautiful shows are making their way to our shores, and I look forward to sharing them all with you.

Last week we concluded the blog post with an artwork by renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose unique fusion of street art and fine art tackled themes of race, identity, and social commentary in the vibrant art scene of the 1980s.

This week, we begin by delving into the artistry of the street artist known as KAWS, whose work shares a common thread with Jean-Michel Basquiat in his utilisation of urban aesthetics, vibrant colour palettes, and graffiti-inspired techniques. Yet, KAWS brings his unique style and perspective to street art.

Companion Piece by Kaws

KAWS (Brian Donnelly) lifesize Companion statue, courtesy of the Mugrabi Foundation, New York, viewed at HOTA, Gold Coast

KAWS, otherwise known as Brian Donnelly, creates works of art and design synonymous with street culture, branding and statement characters - think Hello Kitty mixed with Sesame Street.

In the spirit of Keith Haring, KAWS occupies a captivating artistic space that straddles the realms of fine art and global commerce, effectively democratising his creations and making them accessible to a broad audience.

Despite KAWS' commitment to making his artwork accessible to a wide audience, he also fiercely defends the integrity of his vision and recently achieved a significant legal victory over a Singaporean counterfeiter churning out knock-

offs of his renowned 'Companion' statues.

KAWS (Brian Donnelly)

KAWS began his journey as a graffiti artist in New York, this trajectory led him to become an animator for Disney, and collaborator with renowned international brands such as Dior, Calvin Klein, Chanel, and Diesel. Through these diverse experiences, he has crafted a remarkable collection of characters and objects that have become iconic symbols within contemporary popular culture.

Number 2 (The two Fridas) by Julian Schnabel

The next artist who's work stuck with me, was Julian Schnabel. Schnabel was born in 1951 and is another renowned American artist. However, Schnabel's contributions are largely as a painter, and then filmmaker, and sculptor. His paintings are associated with the Neo-Expressionist movement, and feature large-scale canvases characterised by bold brushwork, vibrant colours, and a fusion of abstraction and figuration.

Julian Schnabel b. 1951 New York USA Number 2 (The two Fridas) 2019 oil, plates and polyester resin on wood Courtesy of the Mugrabi Collection, New York

Number 2 (The two Fridas) was created by Schnabel in 2019. It consists of oil, plates, and polyester resin on wood. The work incorporates bold and expressive brushstrokes, vibrant colours and a fusion of different materials which result in a visually captivating and emotionally evocative piece.

When you approach this piece, it's not immediately apparent what you are looking at, until, similar to an optical illusion, it all comes together. Schnabel's remarkable talent for crafting his artwork to create such a captivating effect is truly awe-inspiring.

I've Got it Bad and That Ain't Good by Mickalene Thomas

The last artist's whose work I had the privilege of seeing was the American visual artist, Mickalene Thomas. Thomas is renowned for her vibrant mixed-media artworks. With a unique style that combines rhinestones, acrylic, enamel, and collage elements, Thomas creates intricate pieces that delve into themes of femininity, beauty, race, sexuality, and identity, particularly focusing on the portrayal of Black women. her art draws inspiration from popular culture, art history, and the concept of the female gaze, challenging conventional notions of beauty and power.

Mickalene Thomas b. 1971 New Jersey, USA, 'l've Got it Bad and that Ain't Good' from the 'She Works Hard for the Money Pin Up' series 2006 rhinestones, synthetic polymer paint and enamel on panel, Courtesy of the Mugrabi Collection, New York

I've Got it Bad and that Ain't Good, is a notable example of Thomas's artistic style and use of mixed media materials. Thomas's work often explores themes of femininity, beauty, and identity, particularly through the depiction of Black women. I like how the woman in this piece is capturing and holding our gaze, she shows no shyness, and in fact, it took me several moments of holding that gaze before realising that her left nipple is subtly visible. This realisation elicited a range of emotion, including an increased feeling of intimacy with the subject, voyeurism, discomfort, complicity in the sexualisation of Black women, and yet also feeling how fiercely powerful Thomas is able to depict this woman. The inclusion of rhinestones, synthetic polymer paint, and enamel in 'I've Got it Bad and that Ain't Good' adds texture and depth to the piece, further enhancing its visual impact.

With Thomas's distinctive approach, she challenges conventional notions of beauty and power, creating visually captivating and thought-provoking artworks.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading this final instalment of the Pop Masters at the HOTA, I have enjoyed learning more about these incredible artists and sharing my learnings with you. Next week I'll be sharing my recent visit to the Banksy exhibition in Brisbane, but for now I'll leave you with a final though from Andy Warhol.

Andy Warhol