David Studwell's stunning collection of screen prints captures the rebellious spirit of the rock'n'roll age. His bold, graphic artworks celebrate the cult of celebrity and are influenced by the legacy of Andy Warhol.
A large body of his work is based on American mugshots of famous music icons taken in the 60s and 70s. These well-known mugshots show each star as they were photographed by the police and reflect them at their most vulnerable or defiant. David Studwell presents these images with a bold and modern twist.
Of his work, David has said “my motive is to explore celebrity, its dark side as well as what we see in magazines or on TV. That is why I create the mugshots -- to display the flaws celebrities have -- to prove they are only human like you or me. I also want to recreate the mood and glamour of those bygone eras, whilst putting my own unique contemporary stamp on each piece.”
A selection of screen prints are hand-finished with diamond dust, giving them a textured and luminous finish.
Artists featured in David Studwell's collection include David Bowie, Liam Gallagher, Elton John, Johnny Cash, Amy Winehouse, Elvis Presley, Prince, and Frank Sinatra.