Shepherd's Bush Artist Creates Punk Tribute to Late Monarch
New prints from Illuminati Neon celebrate legacy of Queen Elizabeth II
Detail from 'Elizabeth' by Mark Sloper
Shepherd’s Bush-based punk artist Illuminati Neon – also known as Mark Sloper – has produced new work partly inspired by the Sex Pistols’ ‘God Save the Queen’ album cover.
However, his eponymous ‘Elizabeth’ work is celebrating the legacy of the late Queen Elizabeth II as opposed the band’s less respectful take on the late monarch.
The limited-edition piece features a bright colour palette and traditional punk elements, with embellishments including a bejewelled nose ring, necklace and tattoo, and is framed in a suitably majestic gold baroque style.
The pieces are printed onto aluminium really bringing the rock-inspired ‘heavy metal’ ethos to life.
The former Queen has frequently been Mark’s muse: Queen Elizabeth II has been a recurring feature in a number of Illuminati Neon’s previous works, supposedly gaining royal approval from Her Majesty herself.
Much like his latest piece which will be on display at Castle Fine Arts, Sloper’s previous hand-embellished canvasses are heavily influenced by the English artist and anarchist Jamie Reid, whose controversial ‘God Save the Queen’ album artwork for the Sex Pistols was infamously based on Cecil Beaton’s Silver Jubilee portrait.
Commenting on the new piece, Mark says, “My art punk Queens are beautifully constructed with sparkling jewels, newspaper headlines; the fabulous Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II looks splendid and regal, whilst of course retaining a little punky attitude.”
‘Elizabeth’ features 295 limited-edition pieces, and £100 of each sale from will be donated to the British Red Cross. Having been a patron of the British Red Cross since 1949, when Queen Elizabeth II first became Patron of the British Junior Red Cross whilst still a ‘Princess’, Castle Fine Art’s charitable pledges are its tribute to the late Queen’s legacy of over seven decades. Prior to her passing, Her Majesty praised the charity's work during the Covid pandemic, commending the British Red Cross staff and volunteers’ work.
Ian Weatherby-Blythe, Managing Director at Castle Fine Art added, “It’s fantastic to have Illuminati Neon’s latest works at Castle Fine Art, fresh from its Saatchi debut. The vibrance, sparkle, and playfulness make these pieces particularly mesmerising, and presents Her Majesty both sensitively and sentimentally. Mark’s works have always been a firm favourite of our clients and with the emotiveness of this latest piece being a tribute to the late Queen, I am certain ‘Elizabeth’ will hold a very special place in many collectors’ hearts.”
Illuminati Neon’s ‘Elizabeth’ is available as hand-embellished giclées on aluminium and are 30" x 40" framed size. The limited edition features 295 pieces and each is priced at £1,450. More information can be found on the Castle Fine Art website: www.castlefineart.com.
Illuminati Neon with some of his other work
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November 21, 2022