General Idea

Ghent Scarf

1984

Tony Scherman (b. 1950) is one of the most collected and cherished Canadian artists. He is renowned internationally for his work, typically executed in encaustic (one of the most dif...

In 1967, General Idea was founded in Toronto by AA Bronson (b. 1946), Felix Partz (1945-1994), and Jorge Zontal (1944-1994). Over the course of 25 years, they made a significant contribution to postmodern and conceptual art in Canada and beyond. The group was both prolific and multi-disciplinary long before it became de rigueur. They with photography, sculpture, painting, mail art, video, installation, multiples, and performance. With their subversive approach and interest in parody and appropriation, General Idea addressed a broad range of social (and art-world) issues such as the cult of the artist, mass media, queer identity, and consumerism. Thematic continuity was a key element in General Idea's work. Early on they introduced talismans or logos that they would revisit and re-envision, including skulls, ziggurats, and poodles. Perhaps one of the earliest of these icons is the pinching hand, or "Hand of the Spirit" which debuts around 1972 and appears frequently throughout the decade. Centered on a hand-painted background, "The Hand of the Spirit of Miss General Idea" features a vibrant crest that displays a hand with fingers curled in a mystical gesture. This print comes from "Fear Management": a set of 8 prints...

Marilyn Minter RESIST T-Shirt (Hand signed and dated by Marilyn Minter), 2018 Silkscreened Cotton T-Shirt (XL), hand signed in indelible marker Boldly signed and dated 2018 in indeli...

Head and Upper Torso for a Flyer Whirligig (No One B) John Russell Clift, American (1925–1999) Date: 1980 Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 260 Image Size: 37 x 2...