Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Robert Hightower
'LOL' - Contemporary Geometric Abstraction Pixelation - Bosch

2019

About the Item

'LOL' is an abstract pointillist painting featuring hues of yellow, orange, pink, and white. Robert Hightower is inspired by the work of Giotto, Hieronymus Bosch, Jean-François Millet, Roger Brown, Howard Arkley and Julian Opie. This piece is a part of a special immersive gallery installation, “The Apocalypse Simulacra,” which is a narrative presentation of the twilight of humanity, at the fulcrum of extinction by Atlanta-based artist Robert Hightower. Through stage-set constructions, readymade plastic models and paintings, Hightower investigates the duality of right/wrong, good/bad, eternal/ephemeral in light of the imminent end of the Human Epoch. It depicts the ideological origins of corporate greed and power, the reality of wealth distribution in the “American Dream,” and the socio-economic and environmental impacts of that collective greed. After receiving a BFA in sculpture from the University of Georgia, Hightower moved to New York City and participated in The Bronx Museum of the Art’s AIM Fellowship (Artist In the Marketplace). While in New York, his interests expanded to include art installation and the creation of spaces, and has since designed and built many unique homes, penthouses and restaurants throughout the United States. Hightower has returned home to Atlanta and will be presenting his most comprehensive body of work to date, “The Apocalypse Simulacra,” a unique universe of beauty, dichotomy and uncertainty. ARTIST STATEMENT The 'Apocalypse Simulacra' is a presentation of the twilight of humanity, at the fulcrum of extinction. The climate is the subject. The Simulacra is the Theme. First discussed by Plato, the Simulacra is the search for Truth in Duality. Developing into Post-Modernism with Nietzsche’s: truth=Truth. Now with Bauvillard, the Simulacra has evolved beyond Post-Modernism, into the wholesale confusion of the real/fake, the true/false… between reality and hyper-reality. This crumbling, confusing of the truth (not necessarily the Truth) is our Reality. For over two decades, I have created large format paintings of strip malls, suburban houses and toys. These paintings present singular images flattened-out (almost floating) on color-fields. They create a certain duality - a loving portrait of an inanimate object that would not normally be singled-out for affection. With my latest work, I have added a variety of iconic images: an airplane, a whisky bottle, a woman floating in a pool. The icons are presented in a pixelated or degenerated state. In addition to paintings, I have used adult-size building blocks to create sculptures or three-dimensional paintings. Using a child's toy at an adult-scale gives the building blocks an austere and powerful presence. The building blocks echo the blocks of the pixelated paintings. I have also begun incorporating stage-set or prop-like sculptures. My goal is to present a "30,000 foot" macro view of the world as we enter the 'Apocalypse Simulacra.' At first, the 'Apocalypse Simulacra' is a literal reading of the Book of Revelations, but upon closer investigation an inherent duality comes into focus … food made from lead, a boat made of paper, a shrine in the slums, a funeral pyre in an urban setting, a corporate high rise made of children's building blocks. Duality is a central theme in my work: right/wrong, reality/fantasy, eternal/ephemeral. Questioning these dual meanings in the context of an impending apocalypse points to a more metaphorical perspective, an Internal Revelation - the process of Individual Enlightenment. Perhaps both are true … the individual journey of the soul to enlightenment, and the collective wholesale destruction of our world. Perhaps here is where Plato’s “World of Ideals” and Nietzsche’s “Post-Modern” worlds merge, and yield to Bauvillard’s Simulacra of the “Hyper Real”… an even more confused world where one cannot discern between the real and the virtual … how can you have a democracy when you can’t believe anything you see or read? Using sculpture, I have created a macro portrait of our capitalist world as it leads us to the imminent destruction of our physical world. My portrait depicts the ideological origin of corporate greed and power, the reality of wealth distribution in the "American Dream" and the socio-economic and environmental impacts of our collective greed. The paintings of the 'Apocalypse Simulacra' present a micro perspective of our reality, our own individual degenerations and transgressions in both the physical and spiritual world. When does rest become sloth, and turn to apathy? When does the desire for human contact turn to lust, and subjugate others? How grossly has our greed sold-out our future, in lieu of profit today? The work is a snapshot of where we are…a macro and micro view from above and within. The 'Apocalypse Simulacra' is a view of the turning point of humanity’s survival. In midst of global mass extinctions, exponential human population growth, gross excesses of the planet’s resources, and massive global pollution, most are still debating how to drive the bus, while the bus is racing toward the cliff. It may already be too late to turn the wheel or even apply the brakes.
More From This SellerView All
  • 'Studio Bloom' - still life - floral, botanical, naturalism, pop of red
    Located in Atlanta, GA
    This painting features hues of green, red, orange and grey. Chattanooga-based artist Christina Renfer Vogel’s “Turning Towards the Sun” features paintings that reflect an intentional turn towards beauty in the face of the tension & uncertainty of recent years. Through nourishing periods of focused observation, she has allowed herself to delight in jubilant color, playful pattern & sensual gesture. Her works delight in the delicate unfurling of a tender leaf & the gentle turn towards an open window, as flowers seek warmth & stretch towards sunlight in the space of a painting session. “Bringing plants...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • 'Sweet Violets' - still life - floral, botanical, naturalism, bright colors
    Located in Atlanta, GA
    This painting features hues of yellow, purple and orange. Chattanooga-based artist Christina Renfer Vogel’s “Turning Towards the Sun” features paintings that reflect an intentional turn towards beauty in the face of the tension & uncertainty of recent years. Through nourishing periods of focused observation, she has allowed herself to delight in jubilant color, playful pattern & sensual gesture. Her works delight in the delicate unfurling of a tender leaf & the gentle turn towards an open window, as flowers seek warmth & stretch towards sunlight in the space of a painting session. “Bringing plants...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • 'Parting Gift' - still life - floral, botanical, naturalism, bright colors
    Located in Atlanta, GA
    This painting features hues of green, yellow and white. Chattanooga-based artist Christina Renfer Vogel’s “Turning Towards the Sun” features paintings that reflect an intentional tu...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • 'Hopeful Daffodils' - still life - floral, botanical, pattern, bright colors
    Located in Atlanta, GA
    This painting features hues of yellow red, orange, and green. Chattanooga-based artist Christina Renfer Vogel’s “Turning Towards the Sun” features paintings that reflect an intentio...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • 'Omega II' - Contemporary Geometric Abstraction Pixelation - Skull - Bosch
    By Robert Hightower
    Located in Atlanta, GA
    'Omega II' is an abstract pointillist painting featuring hues of tan, ocher, green, brown, pink and black. Robert Hightower is inspired by the work of Giotto, Hieronymus Bosch, Jean-François Millet, Roger Brown, Howard Arkley and Julian Opie. This piece is a part of a special immersive gallery installation, “The Apocalypse Simulacra,” which is a narrative presentation of the twilight of humanity, at the fulcrum of extinction by Atlanta-based artist Robert Hightower. Through stage-set constructions, readymade plastic models and paintings, Hightower investigates the duality of right/wrong, good/bad, eternal/ephemeral in light of the imminent end of the Human Epoch. It depicts the ideological origins of corporate greed and power, the reality of wealth distribution in the “American Dream,” and the socio-economic and environmental impacts of that collective greed. After receiving a BFA in sculpture from the University of Georgia, Hightower moved to New York City and participated in The Bronx Museum of the Art’s AIM Fellowship (Artist In the Marketplace). While in New York, his interests expanded to include art installation and the creation of spaces, and has since designed and built many unique homes, penthouses and restaurants throughout the United States. Hightower has returned home to Atlanta and will be presenting his most comprehensive body of work to date, “The Apocalypse Simulacra,” a unique universe of beauty, dichotomy and uncertainty. ARTIST STATEMENT The 'Apocalypse Simulacra' is a presentation of the twilight of humanity, at the fulcrum of extinction. The climate is the subject. The Simulacra is the Theme. First discussed by Plato, the Simulacra is the search for Truth in Duality. Developing into Post-Modernism with Nietzsche’s: truth=Truth. Now with Bauvillard, the Simulacra has evolved beyond Post-Modernism, into the wholesale confusion of the real/fake, the true/false… between reality and hyper-reality. This crumbling, confusing of the truth (not necessarily the Truth) is our Reality. For over two decades, I have created large format paintings of strip malls, suburban houses and toys. These paintings present singular images flattened-out (almost floating) on color-fields. They create a certain duality - a loving portrait of an inanimate object that would not normally be singled-out for affection. With my latest work, I have added a variety of iconic images: an airplane, a whisky bottle, a woman floating in a pool. The icons are presented in a pixelated or degenerated state. In addition to paintings, I have used adult-size building blocks to create sculptures or three-dimensional paintings. Using a child's toy at an adult-scale gives the building blocks an austere and powerful presence. The building blocks echo the blocks of the pixelated paintings...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • 'Kum Ba Ya' - Contemporary Geometric Abstraction Pixelation - Bosch
    By Robert Hightower
    Located in Atlanta, GA
    'Kum Ba Ya' is an abstract pointillist painting featuring hues of red, green, yellow, blue and black. Robert Hightower is inspired by the work of Giotto, Hieronymus Bosch, Jean-François Millet, Roger Brown, Howard Arkley and Julian Opie. This piece is a part of a special immersive gallery installation, “The Apocalypse Simulacra,” which is a narrative presentation of the twilight of humanity, at the fulcrum of extinction by Atlanta-based artist Robert Hightower. Through stage-set constructions, readymade plastic models and paintings, Hightower investigates the duality of right/wrong, good/bad, eternal/ephemeral in light of the imminent end of the Human Epoch. It depicts the ideological origins of corporate greed and power, the reality of wealth distribution in the “American Dream,” and the socio-economic and environmental impacts of that collective greed. After receiving a BFA in sculpture from the University of Georgia, Hightower moved to New York City and participated in The Bronx Museum of the Art’s AIM Fellowship (Artist In the Marketplace). While in New York, his interests expanded to include art installation and the creation of spaces, and has since designed and built many unique homes, penthouses and restaurants throughout the United States. Hightower has returned home to Atlanta and will be presenting his most comprehensive body of work to date, “The Apocalypse Simulacra,” a unique universe of beauty, dichotomy and uncertainty. ARTIST STATEMENT The 'Apocalypse Simulacra' is a presentation of the twilight of humanity, at the fulcrum of extinction. The climate is the subject. The Simulacra is the Theme. First discussed by Plato, the Simulacra is the search for Truth in Duality. Developing into Post-Modernism with Nietzsche’s: truth=Truth. Now with Bauvillard, the Simulacra has evolved beyond Post-Modernism, into the wholesale confusion of the real/fake, the true/false… between reality and hyper-reality. This crumbling, confusing of the truth (not necessarily the Truth) is our Reality. For over two decades, I have created large format paintings of strip malls, suburban houses and toys. These paintings present singular images flattened-out (almost floating) on color-fields. They create a certain duality - a loving portrait of an inanimate object that would not normally be singled-out for affection. With my latest work, I have added a variety of iconic images: an airplane, a whisky bottle, a woman floating in a pool. The icons are presented in a pixelated or degenerated state. In addition to paintings, I have used adult-size building blocks to create sculptures or three-dimensional paintings. Using a child's toy at an adult-scale gives the building blocks an austere and powerful presence. The building blocks echo the blocks of the pixelated paintings...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Canvas

You May Also Like
  • "Dripping Dots - Chanel in St. Tropez" Oil On Canvas Chanel Perfume Bottle
    By Cindy Shaoul
    Located in New York, NY
    This piece is part of an exciting new collection depicting iconic "N°5 Chanel" with the artists "Dripping Dots" style. Focused on a pointillistic technique, the paint is able to capt...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Potted Still
    By Darius Yektai
    Located in Sag Harbor, NY
    "Potted Still" is an expressive, colorful still-life painting from Darius Yektai. Heavy outlines are prevalent, and paint is laid on thick, creating a sculptural quality. Darius Ye...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Still-life Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • "Dripping Dots - Coco in the Jungle" Contemporary Oil Painting on Canvas
    By Cindy Shaoul
    Located in New York, NY
    This piece is part of an exciting new collection depicting iconic "Coco Chanel" with the artist's "Dripping Dots" style. Focused on a pointillistic technique, the paint is able to ca...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Orchid Abstraction - Abstract Painting - Oil On Canvas By Marc Zimmerman
    By Marc Zimmerman
    Located in Carmel, CA
    Vibrant cool colors suggesting botanicals, with warm orchids accenting the abstraction. A fusion of abstraction and realism. Orchid Abstraction - Abstract Painting - Oil On Canvas B...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Red Floral By Marc Zimmerman
    By Marc Zimmerman
    Located in Carmel, CA
    Right as red, this painting is delicious with saturated color. And that accent of the blue-greenleaf; just the perfect accent.
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Modern, decorative flower painting, acrylic on canvas. Signed and dated.
    Located in Berlin, DE
    Modern, decorative painting, acrylic on canvas. Signed and dated. Signed illegible. Age-related condition.
    Category

    20th Century Contemporary Still-life Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Recently Viewed

View All