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James McQueen
You Snooze You Lose (Framed)

2022

$3,694.51
£2,700
€3,172.65
CA$5,149.63
A$5,596.76
CHF 2,957.67
MX$67,708.68
NOK 36,835.64
SEK 34,793.55
DKK 23,687.40

About the Item

James McQueen, You Snooze You Lose (Framed), 2022 Silkscreen and Archival Pigment in Colour on Deckled Edge Somerset Satin 410gsm Paper floated on a frame with 3mm Float Glass 112.5 x 78.5 cm (44.3 x 30.9 in) Edition of 195 Hand-signed and numbered by the artist James Mcqueen You should never judge a book by its cover, and James McQueen is keeping his firmly under wraps. The elusive artist, who operates under a name as fictitious as the titles he paints, has so far launched one collection of his book-themed Anthology works, three collections of his Non-Fiction works with Castle Fine Art and, the most recent Special Edition collection. They proved to be a page-turner with our collectors, and McQueen’s limited edition captivating works are extraordinarily popular and in incredibly high demand – with the Non-Fiction collection selling out in just hours! James McQueen’s identity is veiled in mystery – he is an artist who operates under a pseudonym –yet his art is famously popular with our collectors, often selling-out shortly after release. Working between London and New York, his technique involves layering the canvas with an abundant application of paint in many colours and shades; his use of spray paints giving each piece a graffiti-influenced edge. Once dry, he sands the work down so that a multitude of layers are visible in the finished piece. Finally, the surface is covered with lacquer to add extra richness and vibrancy. The pieces McQueen creates are based around his love of vintage books which have been much-read and show signs of wear and tear. He has translated this into his mixed media pieces influenced by classic paperbacks. “Everyone who owns it has put their little stamp on it, like a tea mark, pencil scribbles, or folded page corners,” he says. “I want to reimagine the dust jacket of a classic book, retro aesthetics with a provocative modern twist." “I want to celebrate books as treasured objects and the deep affection we have with them. I want the viewer to create their own stories and make their own unique connections to each title. The colours I use can have very subversive powers, and there is a certain significance and emotion that each shade can bring to the interpretations of my work that throws emphasis on the title.” Using paint and a spray can, McQueen light-heartedly subverts the traditional representation of book covers through his tongue-in-cheek titles and bold, contemporary aesthetic. The subject of books – explored by artists including the American illustrator Norman Rockwell – is given a modern feel through the incorporation of graffiti elements. Inspired by artists like Mark Rothko, these urban touches elevate the vintage, distressed feel of the boldly-coloured book covers, adding texture and challenging their history. McQueen adds: "I want to create that wear and tear, that authenticity. It’s too easy to do something clean. It’s too easy to do something with straight lines. It’s much harder to make something look old and tired." James McQueen mixes the traditional and the provocative in his work. Familiar book designs which date back to the 1930’s are mixed with very modern – and controversial – graphics, which subvert the vintage aesthetic of these iconic books. Uniting booklovers with fine art collectors, McQueen’s Non-Fiction collections evoke the deeply personal experience and nostalgia that a book can create for its owner. Our emotional response to the words of a book – whether on the inside pages or the front cover – is personal to us. Just as each person interprets a character, or an artwork, differently, the quotes from McQueen’s book covers hold significance in uniquely special ways. The carefully-selected typography gives these titles a voice, allowing them to convey a message through humour or caution.
  • Creator:
    James McQueen (1977, British)
  • Creation Year:
    2022
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 44.3 in (112.5 cm)Width: 30.91 in (78.5 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Frame Included
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Manchester, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2261217024082

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