Happy War

Referring to the ruthless war raging inside the artist and actor of contemporary art - whereby artistic innovation and the act of pure creation battle with the desire (expectation even) of attaining a form of notoriety, 'at all costs' - this series challenges us to question current trends in contemporary art.

Taking a fresh look at the notion of art as a form of production, Norman Gekko draws the viewer's attention to consider; what is the function of an artist? and how does the artist's practices reflect upon the image of the artist in society?

The works, mostly very playful, ironically repeat images and codes commonly deployed by contemporary artists on a support (the tin can) voluntarily devoid of nobility. This irony in counterpoint on the use of the technique of stencil, a technique too greatly exploited by the exponents of street art or pop art.