New Year, New Legends
The smiling face of Kobe Bryant holding a basketball, decked in his legendary Lakers jersey, looks back upon curious viewers who are coming to discover the work of French born street/pop artist JISBAR. The Lakers legend is only one of many historical phenomenons that have been reimagined and in a way, reincarnated in style, thanks to this artist.
57.48x44.88in
146x114cm
You might have seen JISBAR’s work online, in person or even watched it happen live on the news; his most prominent work was quite literally launched recently in 2020 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo DaVinci titled, Punk Mona, 2019. This painting was the first painting to ever be put into orbit, ultimately finding an altitude of 33.4 km (20.5 Miles) above the earth for an hour and a half. When the biodegradable balloon holding the painting burst, Punk Mona landed 62 miles from the launch site.
punk mona, 2020
Giving new life to legendary figures such as the Mona Lisa, Girl with the Pearl Earring, Dali, Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Venus, Tony Montana, Daft Punk etc. means connecting the past to the present. Each figure that JISBAR uses as inspiration is surrounded by words, phrases and other objects in his paintings that relate to the subject in some way. Each painting has its own universe that is created and its own ideas that are visualized, therefore becoming incredibly personalized to each featured legend.
Rockstar Spiderman, 2022 features Spiderman, Batman and Catwoman surrounded by words such as “Take The Money And Run”, “Welcome To Paradise City”, “Love is the New Fame” as well as various Stars and Stripes, Diamonds, Crowns and other symbols of money, power and fame. JISBAR is not one to stray from using bold colors, often primary, to bring his painted universes to life. The bold red and blue of Spiderman’s costume brings the viewer’s eye to the center of the work, while Batman looming over Spidey’s shoulder and the sharp, toothy grin of Catwoman’s laughing face bring an ominous feel to an otherwise happy go lucky young superhero.
51*38IN
Currently hanging on 5Art Gallery’s wall is Chanel Flower Elmo, 2021. Elmo brings a smile to viewers with a wave of an iconic bright red fuzzy paw, inspiring a sense of comfort and nostalgia. Centered is a classic Chanel Bottle boasting a vivid yellow with a bouquet of sunflowers bursting out of the top of the bottle. The phrase “True Luxury Comes From Nature” is graffitied onto the front of the Chanel bottle, clearly suggesting that our society’s obsession with material luxury might be better focused on the luxury of having nature so accessible to us and usually, at no cost.
57.48x44.88in
146x114cm
An artist’s artist, a great game to play when looking at a JISBAR painting, is ISpy. Sometimes hiding references to other artists like Murakami, KAWS, Be@rbrick, Shepard Fairey, etc. in the backgrounds of his own paintings, there is always something new to discover each time you take in JISBAR’s work.
39 2/5x32in
100x81cm
\46*35IN
