MATT GONDEK’S BODY of work is a subversive counterpoint to the truism that art is an embodiment of humankind’s tendency to seek order. In his world, chaos and disorder are the sense-making threads that weave together defiant, thought-provoking narratives.
Then, there is colour. Employing bright, bold Technicolour hues, the Los Angeles artist makes what he calls deconstructed pop art, wherein beloved cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny and Bart Simpson are re-presented in boundary-blasting ways across mediums that span painting, sculpture and collectible toys.
What about entertainment and media drew you to them as fodder for art?
When you consider classical artwork in museums, a significant portion of it revolves around themes of royalty and religion. During the times those works were created, the monarchy and the church were daily fixtures in popular culture. However, fast-forward to 2023, and these influences have waned. Instead, we find icons like Mickey Mouse and Bart Simpson taking their place. In a way, these characters can be seen as our modern-day gods. Given my upbringing with a punk mindset focused on anti-conformity, my work aims to deconstruct those in power, which now includes these characters. I call it deconstructed pop art.
Colour figures very heavily in your world. At what stage of your journey did you realise you could unlock its power in the way that you do?
Denne historien er fra January 2024-utgaven av Robb Report Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra January 2024-utgaven av Robb Report Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Gordon Ramsay Makes it Rain
The famed British chef and TV host hasn’t held on to three Michelin stars at his flagship restaurant for 23 years simply by screaming. Alex French unearths the secret to his worldwide domination.
The Weight Of Tradition
Maximilian Riedel reflects on balancing the weight of a 260-year family legacy with modern innovation, steering a historic brand into the future while honouring its rich heritage.
Balancing Thrills
Lotus’s first electric Hyper-GT, the Emeya S, delivers thrilling performance, luxury and practicality in a striking package.
Burn Calories, Not Carbon
Luxury fitness equipment purveyor, Cycling Bears, proves that sustainability is more than a buzzword-it’s a lifestyle that we need to espouse for the sake of posterity and ourselves.
Cool As Ice
Mercedes-Benz’s brainy, down-to-earth CEO Ola Källenius is an expert at racing a nearly 4-ton truck across a frozen lake. Can he steer the marque’s electric vehicle-focused future as adeptly?
VINCENZO CASTALDO
The creative director of Pomellato delves into the artistic and personal philosophies shaping his life and work.
Electric Shock
Porsche finally adds hybridisation to the 911 with the all-new GTS, and enthusiasts are, predictably, up in arms. But how does it actually drive?
Swing Into Luxury
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN you combine one of Singapore’s most prestigious golf courses with a luxurious five-star resort? You get a hole-in-one golfing escape like no other.
Don't Bid Adieu Yet
The Vicem 65 Classic, offered in both fibreglass and cold-moulded wood, is a sophisticated vessel imbued with anachronistic panache.
STRAIGHT OUT OF ORBIS
Roger Dubuis has never been one to play it safe, and the Orbis in Machina shows why
