Original artwork description:

This painting is part of a series of paintings I did on playing cards; it is a reinterpretation of the ‘jack’. In many traditions, the Jack is a young and dynamic figure, often associated with qualities such as youth, creativity and boldness. This idea is revisited here through the use of a photograph I took of a classical sculpture, depicting a naked young man, depicted with ideal characteristics of beauty and perfection.
The figure of the Knave is transposed into a visual context that mixes the classicism of sculpture with the vibrancy and symbolism of modern pop culture, as indicated by the flaming hearts and bright colours. The use of flowers, particularly the pink poppy, represents the fragility and transience of youth, a theme often associated with the figure of the Knave.
The inclusion of the letters ‘J’ in the corners, reminiscent of playing card graphics, emphasises the identity of the Knave, but in a way that detaches it from traditional imagery, offering instead a more conceptual vision of the character.

Image transfer on canvas, acrylics.

Materials used:

image transfer and acrylics

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