Today marks the third anniversary of Michael Jackson's death. But long before Jne 25, 2009, the King of Pop was a muse to a wide group of contemporary artists — Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and David LaChapelle, Kehinde Wiley and celebrated street artist KAWS, just to name a few.
The works of art that he inspired are a reminder of his wide and varied impact on the diverse group of people who appreciated his musical genius. Flavorwire has compiled some of the artistic tributes to Jackson.
Marc Quinn, Man in the Mirror, 2010
Man in the Mirror is part of the series of works that Quinn made for his Allanah, Buck, Catman, Chelsea, Michael, Pamela and Thomas show at London’s White Cube. The sculptures depict “people who have undergone extreme levels of plastic surgery and transformation, including hormone therapy, tattoos, piercing, skin bleaching, hair dying as well as implants and transplants.” Quinn made two marble versions of his Jackson sculpture — one in black face and this one, which portrays him as white.
Kehinde Wiley, Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II, 2009
Wiley unveiled his portrait of Jackson at Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2009. Exhibited at Deitch Projects booth at the fair, Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II is a compilation of six paintings, including works by David and Rubens. "I was receiving messages saying Michael Jackson wants to reach you," Wiley told The Art Newspaper of being commissioned for the work. "I ignored them because quite honestly I thought it was a prank." Jackson never saw the finished work. "Michael was an extraordinarily talented person with a team who could realize his ideas as much as his performances," said Wiley, "and I think that his idea of collaborating with me was something that he really wanted to see through … I felt a responsibility to him to get it done." The Miami Herald dubbed the painting, which sold to a European collector for $175,000, the "King of Art Basel."
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