Art / The Galleries
Modern version of The Scream goes on display
A recreation of Edvard Munch’s The Scream has been put on display as part of the Keep Art It project, an artist-led initiative that uses empty shopfronts in The Galleries to showcase the work of Bristol-based artists.
The artist, Angus, recreated The Scream by using the background from the original with the character of Stewie Griffin from American television series Family Guy in the foreground.
The painting, which is also known as The Tantrum, takes its inspiration from the artist’s experience babysitting his young cousins. The piece is currently priced at £100m. “I wouldn’t take a penny less,” says Angus.
is needed now More than ever
Angus is a Bristol-based independent artist who has been creating art since 2015. In 2020 he created a ceramic fist that was on display at the empty Colston plinth, following the Black Lives Matter protest in June when the statue of Edward Colston was toppled. The fist was destroyed the same day it was displayed by counter-protesters holding ‘all lives matter’ banners, who told Bristol24/7 they were there to “protect the Cenotaph”.
Angus created a ceramic Black Power fist to be displayed at the empty plinth, where the statue of Edward Colston once stood. Photo supplied by Angus
Angus told Bristol24/7 about his most recent piece: “I’ve got a couple of stroppy cousins who are around Stewie’s age. While I was babysitting, they were just throwing tantrum after tantrum. I think nowadays children do not need a lot to get them going and I am sure a lot of parents can relate to it.
“Obviously, Edvard Munch is a great artist and it’s a piece of artwork that is instantly recognisable, an old classic. I wanted to revitalise an old piece of artwork into something new.”
For Douglas Karson, artist and curator of Keep Art It, the recreation of The Scream is particularly relevant during these “strange times”.
“Everybody is screaming internally right now; the artist gives us a dose of humour to reveal that in the end we’re all big babies. I think a lot of us have regressed during this lockdown,” explained Douglas.
Douglas Karson said he is “honoured” to have the work on display as part of the project based at The Galleries and the piece is available for “Covid-safe” viewing. Douglas who has a good relationship with the artist said they are “lucky” to be “entrusted” with such an expensive piece of art.
“The piece has been valued at £100m – we have put it in our shop at that price if anyone’s interested.”
Main Photo by Harry Bristol
Read more: Artists showcase lockdown work in The Galleries’ empty shops
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