Buzz
American artist Ron English is often referred to as a 'subvertiser.' His work takes well-known pop culture and advertisement images, reworking them to deliver a completely new—and often oppositional—message. His art frequently carries satirical commentary, often targeting themes like politics, religion, or consumerism. Regardless of the subject, his pieces are undeniably striking.
Much of Ron English's art appears overnight on billboards, often in defiance of the law. Notable examples include the infamous 'Camel Kid' ads featuring a young Joe Camel offering cigarettes to children, and the McDonald's campaigns with an overweight Ronald McDonald that subtly critique idol worship.
However, it's in his oil paintings where Ron English truly merges the classic and the contemporary. While some of his pieces convey a clear message, others leave room for more open interpretation. Here are ten of his best pop culture takes on classic masterpieces, along with some unexciting art history context to accompany them.
10. The Starry Night
The Starry Night is one of Vincent van Gogh's most iconic pieces. It depicts a stylized view of Saint-Remy, captured from the window of the mental hospital where van Gogh was residing in 1889.
Ron English, however, saw not a quiet town but a sea of advertisements from his own window. This inspired him to create his own take, dubbed 'McStarry.'
9. Virgin of the Lilies
The Virgin of the Lilies, painted by William Bouguereau in 1899, depicts a serene Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus. Even as a child, Jesus assumes a pose of authority, with his arms outstretched. The halos surrounding them are characteristic of Catholic art from that era.
In a pop culture twist, Ron English's rendition of this painting features the iconic KISS face paint on both figures, transforming Mary into Gene Simmons and Jesus into Paul Stanley.
8. Abraham Lincoln
In 1863, a daguerreotype, a type of print created on a copper plate, was taken of Abraham Lincoln. This single image has shaped most of our modern-day image of Lincoln.
In 2008, Ron English created 'Abraham Obama,' a surprisingly nuanced blend of the two presidents' faces. This piece has become one of his most well-known political artworks, though some may argue that 'Incredible Barack' could take the top spot.
7. Guernica
In 1937, after the village of Guernica was bombed, Pablo Picasso painted the massive oil piece 'Guernica' to depict the agony of the villagers. This work has since become one of Picasso's most iconic, often symbolizing anti-war sentiment.
Ron English's interpretation reimagines the original's tragic scene with schoolchildren in similar postures, surrounded by carousel animals, while a young boy in the middle drops bombs from a toy airplane. His version is titled 'Guernica Go-Round.' He also created a version featuring Mickey Mouse dropping bombs from the same plane.
6. The Luncheon On The Grass is a remarkable painting by Edouard Manet, known for its audacity. The scene features a woman lounging naked in the presence of two fully clothed men, which was considered a scandal at the time of its creation.
Manet’s ‘The Luncheon On The Grass’, or Le déjeuner sur l’herbe in French, was infamous for its depiction of a naked woman sitting beside two clothed men. At the time, the painting shocked the public, as the woman’s nudity seemed to be disregarded by the men, who appeared uninterested in her presence.
The Ron English interpretation of the piece is a playful twist: he reimagines the iconic figures with Peanuts characters Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Sally. In this version, Charlie Brown assumes the role of the nude figure, while Lucy and Sally remain fully clothed, reversing the original dynamics.
5. Marilyn Diptych, created by Andy Warhol, remains one of his most iconic works, embodying the artist's exploration of celebrity culture and mass media. It features a series of silkscreen prints of Marilyn Monroe, juxtaposed with bold, repetitive imagery.
Andy Warhol almost single-handedly spearheaded the American pop art movement, and one of the most enduring symbols of that era is his series of Marilyn Monroe silkscreen prints, which he crafted after her death in 1962.
Ron English took Marilyn Monroe’s iconic image in a daring new direction, presenting an oil painting that is more of a tribute than a mere reimagining. His artwork features Monroe topless with Mickey Mouse faces replacing her breasts, surrounded by a background of repeating Mickeys and a vibrant color-shifting hair design.
4. The Son of Man
In 1964, René Magritte painted the surreal masterpiece 'The Son of Man,' featuring a man dressed in a suit and bowler hat, with an apple strategically placed in front of his face. Magritte explained that the painting illustrates how everything visible conceals something beneath the surface.
In 'Stereo Magritte,' Ron English reinterprets the iconic figure and apple, positioning them next to a new character—a skeleton dressed identically to the man, with a rotting apple core in front of its face. This likely symbolizes the duality of life and death.
3. The Last Supper
One of the most recognized artworks in history, The Last Supper depicts Jesus Christ sharing his final meal with his twelve disciples. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the late 1400s, this iconic piece has captivated audiences for centuries.
Ron English believes that as times evolve, so do the gods we create. His interpretation, 'Super Supper,' brings this idea to life with striking visual parallels. A different version can be found here.
2. The Water-Lily Pond
Between 1893 and 1900, Claude Monet crafted a stunning series of paintings centered on a bridge that spanned a small pond at his estate. These works are among the most celebrated pieces of the Impressionist movement.
Ron English's version features darker tones and incorporates his 'Bunny Rabbit'—a sinister figure that reappears in many of his works. While the scene retains Monet's style in both the background and foreground, the Rabbit stands out with a sharper, more contemporary aesthetic.
1. The Scream
Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' is arguably the most famous painting worldwide. There are four versions of the painting, created by Munch at the close of the 19th century.
In 'Harmonic Scream,' Ron English offers a unique take on the iconic image. Staying true to his distinct style, the figures in the painting are likely meant to represent members of a band.
