Whether you're a fan of horror or are partial to a classic rom-com, there's no denying the joy of cinema. There's nothing like the feeling of snuggling up on the sofa to watch a film, so why not surround yourself with that energy every day?
Films and their stars have both proved to be incredibly influential in the work of a great number of artists. From the iconic actress Marilyn Monroe to monumental franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, these pillars of popular culture have found a home in the artwork of some of our greatest artists.
At Art Republic we have a plethora of stunning artworks who have been inspired by film in a variety of ways. From witty parodies of beloved characters to innovative twists on famous movies, our artists find innovative ways to portray their love for film.
We take a look at eight artists that are passionate about movies:
If you're unfamiliar with the phrase 'Star Wars', then there's a high chance you've been living under a rock. The world-famous movie fantasy series has played a leading role of pop culture for decades. The artist Not Now Nancy is not shy about her love for the series. From Princess Leia to Darth Vader and Storm Troopers, Star Wars and pop culture is a key theme in her art. Taking contemporary films and adding her own vintage twist with her delicate line work and drips of gold foil, Nancy adds an air of elegance and timelessness to these iconic characters. We love how Nancy harmoniously blends antique illustration with contemporary cultural references to create a dichotomy of ideas and aesthetics.
Marilyn Monroe - Smokey Blue by David Studwell
Another colossal star of the golden era of movies is the irrepressible Marilyn Monroe. The blonde bombshell solidified her place in film history with her alluring nature and iconic look, and to this day she is one of the most recognisable female figures. David Studwell is heavily inspired by the iconic film stars of the 1960s and 70s, exploring the lives of the rich and famous and the cult of the celebrity that inevitably comes with the spotlight. Deeply intrigued by the icons of the golden era of film, David's work often reveals the sinister side of fame, capturing celebrities either at the height of their fame or in moments of vulnerability.
Of his work, David has said: “my motive is to explore celebrity, its dark side as well as what we see in magazines or on TV...I also want to recreate the mood and glamour of those bygone eras, whilst putting my own unique contemporary stamp on each piece.” We love how David;s are makes us feel as though we are discovering more about these ultra famous and sophisticated icons.
The name's Bond, James Bond - does it get more unmistakable than that? This unforgettable franchise of great British film is not to be overlooked, and neither is Dollarsandart's work. Intrigued by the influence of money over people, places and occasions, Dollarsandart often depicts celebrities washed with the dollar sign. As a comment on the power of the celebrity and all the money that comes with it. His art is fundamentally curious, focused on telling stories, using famous faces to uncover how money can be a force for both good and evil.
Before the Marvel films were the classic comic books, and Dirty Hans pays homage to this in his artworks. His artworks thrives on these fantasy worlds, building his own worlds with the snippets of these monumental film franchises. Drawing from 1950s culture movies, comic books and classic movies, Dirty Hans’ fantastical spaces are a playful take on pop culture icons and superheroes such as Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood and Spiderman. We love how Dirty Hans likes to play homage to these pillars of pop culture through their art, creating digital collages that are littered with visual easter eggs that pay tribute to each individual subject.
I'm with Stupid - R2D2 and C3PO by Zoe Moss
Popular culture once again takes centre stage in Zoe Moss' collection of artworks. From nostalgic toys to world famous characters and film series', Zoe takes us on a journey into the world of movies. Zoe’s artwork is often focused around famous icons and superheroes, taking them out of their element. Whether it be Marilyn Monroe in high tops or Jon Snow holding an iPhone, Zoe uses humour to create a narrative within each composition. We love the humorous narrative within each composition, achieved by blurring the everyday with the fictional, alongside her own Pop Art style.
Film Idea: Roast (Original) by Babak Ganjei
Looking for a film-inspired artwork, but with a twist? Babak Ganjei's film series is the answer. Inspired by the comedy of the 1990s, Babak blends humour, cultural references and film story lines to create his own unconventional plot. Whether we're racing to get our chicken cooked with Jason Statham, or discovering Billy Elliot's real mother is in fact the singer Missy Elliot, Babak takes us on a witty journey of discovery.
This Ain't No Date (Pulp Fiction) by Mark Davies
Mark Davies is the king of combining movie references. Drawn to the digital world of colour and light, Mark loves to build specific narratives based on fairy tales to create mesmerising compositions. We love his ability to incorporate his own contemporary twists to these well-loved fairy tales and movies, recreating and re-imagining the narrative without losing the essence of familiarity and a sense of nostalgia.
Can you get more nostalgic than a haphazard pile of VHS tapes? Reminiscent of popping in a film for a relaxing evening in, Trash Prints has us longing for those cosy days.
Have we got you in the film-loving mood? Check out our collection of movie-inspired artworks from a variety of talented artists.
