In Lhouette's eyes, the world is a juxtaposition of icons, symbols, signifiers and media: interfacing with and influencing the senses of the observer - creating a freewheeling bricolage of narratives and experiences.
One of the fundamental appealing characteristics of Lhouette's work is this crashing together of motifs: inspired by the way the human brain observes the world in all its multi-sensory glory.
From our long association with Lhouette we've been honoured to see this process in action as he scours international markets and shops for textures, culture and iconography: fuelling his alchemy-like imagination.
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CULTURE SURVIVES IN SMALLER SPACES - NOT IN THE HISTORY BOOKS THAT ERECT MONUMENTS TO THE NATION'S GRAND HISTORY BUT IN CAFES AND CINEMA HOUSES, VILLAGE SQUARES, AND HALF-FORGOTTEN LIBRARIES.
- Amitava Kumar
This stream of consciousness ideology of Lhouette is the perfect compliment to the 'more is more' aesthetic of contemporary maximalism. Lhouette uses his organic layering of motifs to illustrate decoration, sensuality, luxury and (in particular) fantasy.
Lhouette's new Boutique Edition Maximalist Pop Panellists is a brilliant evolution of this concept: layering international brands, logos, motifs and pop-culture icons onto rough-hewn hand worked textures: then tiled into a 3x3 social media-style grid.
As well as evoking themes of Andy Warhol-style repetition and appropriation - and offering timely comment on the sheer postmodern 'blender of decontextualisation' that is the modern internet: the grid arrangement also allows the Boutique Editions to be presented in distinct configurations.
Visiting Lhouette in his studios during multiple phases of his 'Pop Tiles' period has always been a thrilling experience: his practical expertise ranging from silk-screening and stenciling, to digital precision-cutting of panels - through to the traditional forms of freehand paintbrush work (and its urban cousin - the aerosol can!).
With each panel extensively hand-worked with Découpage, paint effects and uniquely tiled: the entire Boutique Edition is further embellished with high gloss enamel and coated with a Kölner varnish; then placed in a gorgeously maximalist hand-painted frame - no two are alike. The frame is enhanced with gold-leaf and hand weathering to create Lhouette's essential juxtaposition of high-culture and pop-sensibilities.
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POP CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT CAN BE DISMISSED AS SURFACE, BUT IT'S NOT. IT'S THE LANGUAGE WE ALL SPEAK, AND IT'S THE CONNECTION POINT BETWEEN PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
- Bozoma Saint John
For aficionados of Lhouette's 'Pop Panels' and the ideal stepping-on point for new collectors... Welcome!
Limited to just 10 hand-embellished editions and 5 Artist Proofs worldwide: Lhouette's latest evolution represents his most intricate and exciting Boutique Editions yet.
For more information, contact us or click here to select your personal edition number.