This printed pastiche of Hokusai's iconic “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” has been re-contextualised by Axel Bottenberg to fit a contemporary cultural narrative. In Bottenberg's recreated work, we are met with three cultural symbols: a B52 bomber, mushroom cloud, and a tsunami wave. Limited edition of twenty on-demand, signed and numbered, fine art prints (any size and framing option possible up to A1). Two sold.
- Media: giclee print on archive paper
- Dimensions: 61 x 44 x 3cm
- Price: £500.00
This pastiche of Hokusai's iconic “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” presents to us three recognisable cultural symbols; a tsunami wave, a mushroom cloud and a B52 plane. A re-imagining of the original Japanese wood block print, Axel Bottenberg has re-contextualised this artwork with a modern twist of contemporary imagery and symbols. The original artwork is renowned as a symbol of the inevitable power of nature, and of the influence of western culture on Japanese art at the time of its creation. The original piece also plays a significant role in art history across a myriad of cultures, reflecting Bottenberg's own serious interest in art history as a subject. Bottenberg produced this pastiche on photoshop, simplifying the original artwork and turning it into a monochromatic digital print. Originally made in the early 2010s, this piece was reworked and refined by Bottenberg in 2020 to make sellable prints - the final image is imbued with a kitsch tone, and is almost humorous in its simplification of such a detailed, intricate original artwork. “I think it’s part of my obsession with art history” This theme of pastiche and re-contextualising art is a prominent theme throughout Bottenberg's works - he has a never-ending fascination with the pop-art obsession of stealing and re-jigging images to fit his artistic endeavours. Bottenberg's oeuvre is charged with irony, social commentary, and an art historical awareness that undoubtedly reflects his time studying alongside the YBAs (Young British Artists) at the Royal College of Art in the 1980s. Bottenberg often contrasts high and low art iconography to generate humour and familiarity, which ensures his works are accessible to a wide audience, as opposed to only art world professionals. Bottenberg's works have an air of awareness and entertainment in a way that's totally unique and captivating - any piece within Bottenberg's collection is a statement piece that is unapologetic and of vigour that would be a perfect addition for any contemporary art collection, space, or home.
Axel Bottenberg is a mixed media artist who works to create bright, compelling compositions which blur the boundaries of painting and sculpture. Born in 1961 in Darmstadt, Germany, Bottenberg studied Fine Art and Printmaking at the Canterbury College of Fine Art, and later Printmaking at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London. Bottenberg is now based at Bankley Studios in Levenshulme, Manchester, and is renowned for challenging the sphere of contemporary art through his practice. Bottenberg's oeuvre is imbued with entertaining pop culture and art historical references, and his works often reject art tradition through juxtaposing high and low art iconographies. Bottenberg is heavily inspired by 1960s Pop Art and its resurgence in the 1990s, which he portrays through his own eclectic lens and bold colour palette. Bottenberg's researched approach gives scope for sardonic appraisals within a varied, eccentric body of work. Any piece from Axel Bottenberg's oeuvre would be a valuable and compelling asset to any contemporary art collection, business space or home.