Untitled, Startled Artist #12 Hot on Sale

Untitled, Startled Artist #12 is an acrylic on canvas original with painted neon effect by artist Mike Edwards.

Mike Edwards ‘Startled Artist’ series feature a stylised skull composed of just 4 lines which draws on a number of references from recent art history; Harvey Ball s Smiley Face – created during the optimism of the 60 s, Keith Haring s Radiant Baby in the 80 s – to Kaws X-eyed Mickey developed in the blissed-out late nineties early noughties. It is also reminiscent of the iconic symbol of anxiety and dread, Edward Munch’s ‘Scream’.

The skull is a universal motif seen in art across all human cultures throughout history, acknowledging our shared experience. Startled Artist is almost tribal to reflect this historical context but the Neon adds a contemporary edge to the piece to still reflect the modern world and bring the skull into 2020.

A play on the well-known phrase, ‘Starving artist’ the Starving Artist represents an artist floating through their experience of 2020 which has been quite startling!

“I wanted the skull motif to be a symbol of a thoughtful mind or an illuminated mind. That’s why it’s lit up. An illuminated mind is an open mind and if we all floated through the world with that, we would all be more progressive”.