'Accidental Empires' by Matthew Quick Reimagines Historical Statues
Laura McQuarrie — November 28, 2013 — Pop Culture
References: matthewquick.au & froot.nl
Matthew Quick’s series of ‘Accidental Empires’ takes traditional statues of historical figures and juxtaposes them with the addition of other items.
This includes oil paintings like the ‘Object of Beauty,’ which features a statue of a classical Greek woman wearing a few items that make her recognizable as a Playboy Bunny. In comparison to the classical Greek beauty, the Playboy accessories are a representation of how some symbols become so ingrained in a culture that it’s easy to forget how silly they can be when you step back and look at them from a distance.
Another poignant piece from the series includes an Elizabethan collar around the neck of a Chinese lion, representative of China being neutered over the last century.
This includes oil paintings like the ‘Object of Beauty,’ which features a statue of a classical Greek woman wearing a few items that make her recognizable as a Playboy Bunny. In comparison to the classical Greek beauty, the Playboy accessories are a representation of how some symbols become so ingrained in a culture that it’s easy to forget how silly they can be when you step back and look at them from a distance.
Another poignant piece from the series includes an Elizabethan collar around the neck of a Chinese lion, representative of China being neutered over the last century.
Trend Themes
1. Satirical Classical Statues - Opportunity to disrupt traditional statues by adding unexpected elements for a satirical effect.
2. Juxtaposition of Historical Figures - Utilizing contrasting elements to present historical figures in a fresh and thought-provoking manner.
3. Challenging Cultural Symbols - Highlighting the absurdity and impact of deeply ingrained cultural symbols by reimagining them in unexpected ways.
Industry Implications
1. Fine Art - Innovating in the field of fine art by combining traditional statues with contemporary elements to create satirical and thought-provoking compositions.
2. Cultural Commentary - Using art as a means to comment on cultural symbols and norms, offering a fresh perspective on historical figures and their impact.
3. Visual Arts and Sculpture - Exploring the boundaries of visual arts and sculpture by introducing unexpected juxtapositions to classical and historical figures.
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