Born To Be Famous? - SEMI-FINALIST

Top row, L to R: Paula, Lucian, Damien, Marlene, Jeff, Francis, David, Pablo, Julie. Bottom row, L to R: Jean-Michel, Frida, Jackson, Gerhard, Tracey, Chuck, Keith, Chantal & Jasper, Andy, Gillian. 

JULIE BENNETT

Category: Painting

‘Born To Be Famous?’ is a series of paintings parodying old school photographs that explore the relationship between photography and painting. Monographs and archives were researched to find early childhood photographs of artists who have interested me. These formed the source material for this series of small oil paintings exploring the pre-history of these artists. As a child I found the school photograph to be the most accessible type of portrait. The intention of the work is to examine the commodification of art through the context of the artist as celebrity whilst simultaneously acknowledging the art historical contributions of these artists. The mundane nature of the school photograph ask the viewer to consider if these artists have an iconic aura as a child or if it is the accident of opportunity that leads to them to fame.