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Mike Egan
We Want Skulls

About the Item

Mike Egan’s We Want Skulls is a striking acrylic painting on wood that blends folk art influences with themes of death, devotion, and the afterlife. Known for his bold, graphic style, Egan’s work often explores mortality through a playful yet reverent lens, and this piece is no exception. The composition centers around three skeletal figures with hollow, cross-marked eyes, their arms raised in an almost worshipful stance. Above them, a red-cloaked, devil-like figure hovers, holding two skulls, reinforcing the themes of ritual and reverence. The background is lively with polka dots in various colors, a motif that adds an unexpected sense of movement and festivity. Black leafy branches stretch upward, interweaving with the skeletal figures, as if binding them to both the natural and supernatural worlds. Surrounding the entire composition is a red border decorated with circular symbols resembling religious icons, further emphasizing the painting’s spiritual undertones. Egan’s work draws inspiration from religious iconography, Día de los Muertos imagery, and traditional folk art, creating a visual language that is both deeply personal and universally evocative. Despite the macabre subject matter, We Want Skulls feels more celebratory than grim—suggesting an acceptance, or even an embrace, of life’s transience. The piece invites the viewer to consider the ways in which death is honored and remembered across cultures, transforming symbols of the afterlife into something vibrant, engaging, and full of narrative depth.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Nashville, TN
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1675215951962

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