Matt Gondek - INTERSECT: Online Auction Hong Kong Monday, March 22, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Catalogue Essay

    Aggression is part of Matt Gondek’s signature “Deconstructed Pop Icons” series, and the first of its kind to be offered at auction. Pittsburgh-born but Los Angeles based artist Matt Gondek (b. 1982) borrows the graphic elements of popular cartoon franchise characters and pop icons that were a formative part of his childhood. Inspired by pop culture cartoons and their vivid colours, bold lines, and accessibility, Gondek appropriates characters from Homer Simpson to Mickey Mouse, as he seeks to reflect society’s day-to-day life and culture into his work. He has secured mural projects in American cities from Atlanta to Las Vegas, and his work has been featured in group and solo exhibitions across the globe, including two at Avenue des Arts Hong Kong, American Gods (2016) and Growing Pains (2018), and most recently Mood Swings (2020) at Avenue des Arts Paris. Notably, Aggression was featured in the THRIVE Group Exhibition at Avenue des Arts Los Angeles (2018).

     

    Matt Gondek Aggression

    The Artist’s Instagram on 29 April 2020

    Installation shot at Avenue des Arts, Los Angeles, THRIVE

    Gondek is particularly fond of Marvin the Martian from Warner Bro.’s Looney Tunes, a popular cartoon franchise, having also featured the character in his collectible toys and sculptures. An eight-foot tall sculpture inspired by Marvin the Martian, also named Aggression, was on display at his solo exhibition at Avenue des Arts Los Angeles in 2019. The current example features Marvin the Martian with Gondek’s signature twist, an exploded skull and black dripping paint. Painted with distinctively clean, thick lines and filled in with solid colours, his painting style is clearly reminiscent of comic book and cartoon illustrations. Gondek’s choice of a red background conveys a striking and bold force, and the pose of Marvin the Martian in his crackling signature green helmet and skirt splattered with black paint, holding a similarly crumbling gun, is cheeky yet assertive, enticing the viewer as they immediately recognise the character and gradually appreciate Gondek’s play on it.

     

    Matt Gondek Aggression
    Marvin the Martian in Aggression (2018) and its original character

    Starting his career as a digital illustrator creating graphics and artworks for the music industry, Gondek’s works have risen in popularity over the past few years. His work has gained significant traction amongst collectors worldwide including those from Sweden, Germany, Paris, Canada, and Brazil, as they resonate with his use of popular cartoon characters in American culture.

      • 2018

      • signed 'MAtt GONDeK' lower left

      • acrylic on canvas

      • 244.4 x 182.8 cm. (96 1/4 x 71 7/8 in.)

      • Painted in 2018.

    • Provenance

      Avenue Des Arts, Los Angeles
      Private Collection, Hong Kong

    • Exhibited

      Los Angeles, Avenue Des Arts, THRIVE, 18 May - 16 June 2018

20

Aggression

2018
signed 'MAtt GONDeK' lower left
acrylic on canvas
244.4 x 182.8 cm. (96 1/4 x 71 7/8 in.)
Painted in 2018.

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 160,000 
€12,900-17,200
$15,400-20,500

Sold for HK$239,400

Contact Specialist

Hin Hin Wong

Associate Specialist, 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Hong Kong

+852 2318 2013

hinhinwong@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia

+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

 

Charlene Lau

Head of Jewels, Hong Kong

+852 2318 2039

JewelleryHK@phillips.com

 

INTERSECT: Online Auction

Online Auction 23 - 30 March 2021