I spent 10 hours recreating Andy Warhol’s £150 million Marilyn Monroe portrait out of food -a breakfast favourite helped
AN artist has spent 10 hours recreating Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe painting, entirely out of food.
Nathan Wyburn used 120 Pop-Tarts to create the colourful mosaic, which pays homage to the Hollywood film star.
Warhol’s portrait of Monroe is one of the world’s most expensive, fetching $195m in 2022, but this more modest version can be seen at a pop-up exhibition in Bethnal Green, London.
The temporary gallery has been created by Pop-Tarts to celebrate its heritage – as the snack was originally named as a pun on pop art – which is open to the public on the 25th and 26th October for visitors aged 18 and over.
The artist said: “Using Pop-Tarts to create these pieces was a unique and intriguing experience that really captures the true essence of pop art – making the ordinary extraordinary.
“Marilyn in particular was a real challenge – to capture that signature and distinct look of hers.
“I of course have massive respect for the original pieces of art that have inspired this work, but I think they look pretty epic recreated out of Pop-Tarts and bring a new, playful lease of life to the art.”
The food art follows research of 2,000 Brits which crowned Banksy as the nation’s favourite artist – followed by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.
But Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa emerged as the most ‘overrated’ pieces of artwork, with over one in five (22 per cent) agreeing.
It also highlighted a generational divide in art appreciation, with 46 per cent of Millennials considering themselves art lovers.
With this figure dropping to 29 per cent for Gen X and 31 per cent for Boomers – however, Gen Z stands out with 61 per cent identifying themselves art enthusiasts.
Despite this passion, 31 per cent of these young adults rarely visit art galleries, with 24 per cent finding them boring.
Nearly four in 10 (37 per cent) Gen Z would be more inclined to visit galleries if entry was free, and 39 per cent are drawn to themed or unique exhibitions.
While 29 per cent wish they were more hands-on and interactive.
Almost half (46 per cent) of Gen Z feel pressure to appreciate famous artworks due to their reputations – which is a sentiment less shared by the older generations.
Shauna Lenagh, senior director at Kellogg’s, which is giving visitors the chance to create their own edible masterpieces at the pop-up art gallery, said: “To highlight the little-known fact that Pop Tarts were named after the pop art movement, and celebrate our 60th anniversary, we have worked with Nathan Wyburn to bring the Pop (T)Art Gallery Experience to life.
Britain's Top 10 Favourite Artists
1. Banksy
2. Pablo Picasso
3. Salvador Dalí
4. Andy Warhol
5. Jackson Pollock
6. Georgia O’Keeffe
7. Francis Bacon
8. Damien Hirst
9. Tracey Emin
10. Jean-Michel Basquiat
“We look forward to seeing our visitors’ reactions to the artwork, and the creative expressions they come up with themselves.”
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