A Bold Collision of Play, Pop Culture and One-of-a-kind Craftsmanship
Explore Lhouette's More or Less...Chess, series of original artworks that double as chess sets, combining pop culture, craftsmanship and bold design. Contemporary works that have caught the eye of collectors worldwide, and even been featured on BBC Two.
Few works in contemporary art tread the line between sculpture, design object, and fine art quite like Lhouette's art. His acclaimed 'More or Less...Chess' series of original chess sets reimagines one of the world's oldest games as a vehicle for his pop-maxamalist commentary. Serving as both functional games and wall-hung statement artworks, these gamified fine art pieces blur the lines between contemporary art and classic form.
Handcrafted in Lhouette's signature pop-maximalism style, each piece is a standalone original. These pieces speak to the artist's street culture and British design background while layering vibrant and visual storytelling onto reclaimed materials. With his now trademark painted ornate frames and striped slips, combined with bespoke perspex boards and bold compositions, this series is maximalist art with a function that adds a bold presence to any space. As Lhouette himself explains, "...the premise of the board is that it can either sit as a painting on the wall and be taking off and used as a chess set or vice versa."
The More or Less...Chess series has already made waves on the international scene, with one being exhibited at the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, appeared centre-stage on BBC Two's The Great Pottery Throw Down, and celebrated during Lhouette’s residency at 45 Park Lane as part of the prestigious Dorchester Collection. Each set feature 32 hand-painted, triple-weighted Staunton boxwood chess pieces, custom artwork under clear perspex, and a sculptural frame that transforms from gaming surface to gallery statement.
"There's 32 pieces here, that's a huge amount of work...each one is an individual little miniature sculpture..."
Pop Maximalism in Motion
Lhouette's art has always existed between cultural memory and visual disruption, drawing on everything from consumer logos and classic cartoons, to religious iconography and luxury branding. His practice is about remixing the symbols that define our time. Each composition is layered and loaded with meaning, no single image dominates and every element plays a part in the broader commentary.
The latest addition to the More or Less...Chess series, More or Less Chess 'Ringside', exemplifies this style at its most vivid. A piece that speaks to cycles of indulgence, distraction, and repetition, with the playful yet subversive motifs of wide-eyed Alice figures, devilish characters and the unmistakable image of a pink-glazed doughnut from the often controversial sitcom, The Simpsons. The circular motion of the imagery draws parallels to the constant strategy and psychological cycles of a chess match.
In 'Ringside,' Lhouette invites the viewer into a world where childhood nostalgia collides with adult anxieties, where humour and critique share the same visual space, and where a game board becomes a lens on how we absorb and engage with the culture around us. It's both a painting and a chess set, but it's also a statement of how art can exist across boundaries and speak to how we live.
"I've always liked working with interesting items and materials so the chance to design a chess set really appealed to me in terms of how I can relay my style and ideas into a functioning board, duality of an item is exciting for me...In terms of the look and content I wanted it to scream attention through my usual raw and refined contrasting and Pop Maximalism."
- Lhouette
Paired with these are Lhouette's striking Paint Tin plinths; black industrial oil drums striped with a mixture of vibrant paints dripped down the sides. Topped with clear perspex on stainless-steel posts, these functional sculptures echo the material themes of the chess sets and expand his exploration of form, colour, and reclaimed beauty. Perfect as bar tables or display stands, they hold their own as powerful pieces of collectable art.
At Wyecliffe Galleries, we're proud to represent Lhouette as his official international gallery. As a leading independent gallery specialising in British art, we offer the most extensive collection of Lhouette art available for acquisition worldwide. Our relationship has spanned exclusive releases and landmark collaborations such as the HyperPop project. This partnership saw us present a Lhouette-wrapped Ford GT at a private supercar event in Marbella, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and Bonhams' Pop X Culture auction where it raised funds for mental health charity CALM.
These works are about connection, not just visuals; they speak to the merging of high craft and pop culture, nostalgia and rebellion. Whether displayed in a modern interior, luxury games room, or an eclectic collection of bold art, these pieces make a confident, enduring statement.
Lhouette is a London artist who continues to challenge what art can be and how we live with it. At Wyecliffe, our mission is to support collectors with expert guidance and a personal connection to the art they choose. With years often passing between releases, the More or Less...Chess series is one of Lhouette's most exclusive and rare bodies of work. Each original is available exclusively through Wyecliffe Galleries, making them a true privilege for collectors seeking rarity, craftsmanship and cultural significance in their acquisitions.
Lhouette's is one of subversion, commentary, and pop maximalism - a narrative as bold and layered as his artworks.
