This dystopian, cinematic composition is part of Chris Acheson's latest 'Americana' series. A tale told through a technicolour lens, 'Happy Meal' displays the human blots which are often left behind on the landscape, and the detrimental impact of major corporations on the environment.
- Media: oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 100 x 70cm
- Price: £6500.00
A scene which depicts a typical chocolate-box lake setting, Acheson has employed his imagination and an electrifying colour palette to display a post-apocalyptic landscape, dominated by a sinister-looking Ronald McDonald. Towering over this serene setting like the Statue of Liberty, McDonald's' golden arches stand proudly on the horizon, as the lake in the foreground is littered with its detritus. From plastic bags caught in branches, to the Happy Meal box in the mouth of a bear; this piece shows the disturbing reality of fast food chains, and how absurdly embedded they are into our every day lives. A limp, dying tree hangs over the setting from the left hand side; perhaps a reminder of our fate if things continue as they are. A prominent, rapidly expanding culprit of global warming, 'Happy Meal' highlights the dark reality of McDonald's as a corporation, and its unstoppable global influence. “Our human imprint is everywhere, but there’s no actual visible people or humans…although our detritus is obviously visible” Taking inspiration from filmmakers and artists such as David Lynch and Cindy Sherman, Acheson's oeuvre is heavily influenced by cinema. His works often give the impact of a film still; cryptic yet imbued with narrative, we are often left with more questions than answers. We are left to apply our own meanings, whilst simultaneously piecing together the before and after of each dramatic composition. Although Acheson is renowned for his realist works which depict typically British settings, the 'Americana' series demonstrates his versatility, employing cinematic American landscapes to create paintings which are full of drama and mystery. Conceptual meanings aside, Acheson is evidently a profoundly talented painter; the subtleties of light and shadow within his works are astounding, and his attention to detail is prominent in every inch of his works. Although this is an artificial setting, Acheson has the ability to make us believe it is real; his vivid, photo-realistic style and his extraordinary use of colour work hand in hand to create a dramatic and dynamic composition, which truly comes to life in front of our eyes. Acheson is clearly a skilled and experienced painter, paired with a vivid imagination which makes his works endlessly fascinating. Any piece from Acheson's collection of works would make a worthwhile investment.
Other images of The Happy Meal by Chris Acheson