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Lot Essay
Recognized by the torrents of drips and splashes, MADSAKI, a rising star of the contemporary art world, has established a reputation for his thrilling and dynamic works. By utilizing his signature medium of aerosol paint, typically associated with street art and graffiti, the visuals that he forges are filled with vibrant colors and enigmatic energy. Henceforth, leading his viewers to confront the canvas, engaging the mind as a narrative emerges while getting a taste of the artist’s sense of humour.
Marvel, brings together a group of superheroes also known as the Avengers. Iconic core members of the warrior group such as Captain America, Black Widow, the Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Ironman and Thor etc. are all juxtaposed together in one powerful scene. Each character with their distinctive attributes, looking out confidently with their eyes and smiles dripping with black paint, a trademark style developed by MADSAKI himself. He once explained dripping smiles may look simple but in fact, it is the most difficult part in every painting and usually executed last “because it’s the most simple thing and you have to put emotions in it”. The composition in the present lot is much like the militia group portraits from the Dutch Golden Age during the 17th – 18th century. Group portraitures, usually created in monumental sizes, were an essential part of notable Dutch life. Members of significant guilds or schutterij (commonly known as city guards) would pose together with their respective attributes and weaponry, gazing directly at the viewer with much attention given to the fine details of their attires as well as incorporating additional objects to indicate one’s position in society. Functioning as commemorative pieces, it was also seen as a tool to glorify influential individuals within Dutch society, a genre that closely resembles Marvel.
Executed in 2018, Marvel was created in the same year the movie Avengers: Infinity War was released. Becoming a global sensation overnight, it was also the highest-grossing film of 2018. Undoubtedly, the superhero cult has always played a crucial role in mainstream culture. From the pages of comics to cartoons and movies alike, the impact of these fictional characters is phenomenal. Eyeing on its success in mass media, MADSAKI incorporated these Marvel characters in the present lot as a direct reference to pop culture. Concurrently, he unfolds an ongoing dialogue concerning the value of art and the role of the artist within mass culture. Comparative to Warhol, MADSAKI is unafraid to experiment with unconventional means, rebelling against tradition and embraces pop culture by using images with wide appeal in society as the core subject matter of his works. Welding aerosol paint in a rapid and spontaneous manner, the artist encourages viewers to form their own interpretation, for them to personally connect with his art and to discover meaning in it.Technical and humorous, this unconventional method of painting is a reflection of MADSAKI’s journey as an artist. His family emigrated from Japan to New York when he was just six years old. Arriving at a place where he could barely speak the language, MADSAKI eventually turned to the world of art, a path that led him to study at Parsons School of Design. Upon graduation, not only did he not pick up a paintbrush for years, but instead chose to become a New York bike messenger to escape the world of art and drank “mad sake” after work each night which earned him the pseudonym – MADSAKI. He remembered deeply his challenging road to fame, and how his artistic success escalated when Murakami discovered him on Instagram. Following his highly successful Wannabie’s Series, MADSAKI continues to build an irrefutable international recognition, with prominent gallery representations as well as presenting solo exhibitions worldwide. He would also regularly share his latest creations on social media platforms, including the present lot on Instagram. With more fresh exciting works in the making, one would recall MADSAKI’s commentary that he’s serious about art, but not that serious.
Marvel, brings together a group of superheroes also known as the Avengers. Iconic core members of the warrior group such as Captain America, Black Widow, the Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Ironman and Thor etc. are all juxtaposed together in one powerful scene. Each character with their distinctive attributes, looking out confidently with their eyes and smiles dripping with black paint, a trademark style developed by MADSAKI himself. He once explained dripping smiles may look simple but in fact, it is the most difficult part in every painting and usually executed last “because it’s the most simple thing and you have to put emotions in it”. The composition in the present lot is much like the militia group portraits from the Dutch Golden Age during the 17th – 18th century. Group portraitures, usually created in monumental sizes, were an essential part of notable Dutch life. Members of significant guilds or schutterij (commonly known as city guards) would pose together with their respective attributes and weaponry, gazing directly at the viewer with much attention given to the fine details of their attires as well as incorporating additional objects to indicate one’s position in society. Functioning as commemorative pieces, it was also seen as a tool to glorify influential individuals within Dutch society, a genre that closely resembles Marvel.
Executed in 2018, Marvel was created in the same year the movie Avengers: Infinity War was released. Becoming a global sensation overnight, it was also the highest-grossing film of 2018. Undoubtedly, the superhero cult has always played a crucial role in mainstream culture. From the pages of comics to cartoons and movies alike, the impact of these fictional characters is phenomenal. Eyeing on its success in mass media, MADSAKI incorporated these Marvel characters in the present lot as a direct reference to pop culture. Concurrently, he unfolds an ongoing dialogue concerning the value of art and the role of the artist within mass culture. Comparative to Warhol, MADSAKI is unafraid to experiment with unconventional means, rebelling against tradition and embraces pop culture by using images with wide appeal in society as the core subject matter of his works. Welding aerosol paint in a rapid and spontaneous manner, the artist encourages viewers to form their own interpretation, for them to personally connect with his art and to discover meaning in it.Technical and humorous, this unconventional method of painting is a reflection of MADSAKI’s journey as an artist. His family emigrated from Japan to New York when he was just six years old. Arriving at a place where he could barely speak the language, MADSAKI eventually turned to the world of art, a path that led him to study at Parsons School of Design. Upon graduation, not only did he not pick up a paintbrush for years, but instead chose to become a New York bike messenger to escape the world of art and drank “mad sake” after work each night which earned him the pseudonym – MADSAKI. He remembered deeply his challenging road to fame, and how his artistic success escalated when Murakami discovered him on Instagram. Following his highly successful Wannabie’s Series, MADSAKI continues to build an irrefutable international recognition, with prominent gallery representations as well as presenting solo exhibitions worldwide. He would also regularly share his latest creations on social media platforms, including the present lot on Instagram. With more fresh exciting works in the making, one would recall MADSAKI’s commentary that he’s serious about art, but not that serious.