“Basquiat’s Studio, Crosby Street” (2023), acrylic on canvas, 174.6 x 219 centimeters. All images © Damian Elwes, courtesy of Unit London, shared with permission
From the cubist compositions of Pablo Picasso to “The Two Fridas,” the 1939 iconic double self-portrait by Frida Kahlo, vibrant views of seminal artworks and acclaimed artists’ studios emerge in the imaginative acrylic paintings of Damian Elwes.
Elwes began experimenting with painting other artists’ studios nearly four decades ago while living in Paris and spending time in contemporary art spaces. He studied the architecture, materials, layout, and habits of each individual, meticulously documenting every detail and idiosyncrasy. With the advent of the internet and growing online archives, Elwes began sourcing photographs of workspaces belonging to the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat or Henri Matisse.
In his large-scale paintings, unique portraits emerge through recognizable views from the windows, knick-knacks on shelves, art supplies at the ready, and renderings of famous pieces still sitting on easels. Francis Bacon’s studio, for example, was famously messy, and Keith Haring’s urban loft was covered in graffiti and sketches. Yayoi Kusama transformed her 1960s New York studio into an immersive installation of three-dimensional textile sculptures.
Elwes’s forthcoming show Studio Visit at Unit London highlights paintings made over the past couple of decades, ranging from depictions of Picasso’s Paris apartment to Damien Hirst’s Thames-side retreat. The show opens July 7 and runs through September 23. Find more on the artist’s website and Instagram.
“Frida Kahlo’s Studio, Casa Azul” (2010), acrylic on canvas, 168 x 198.3 centimeters
“Damien Hirst’s Studio, Thames Wharf, London” (2024), acrylic on canvas, 173.5 x 373 centimeters
“Francis Bacon’s Studio” (2016), gouache on board, 44.9 x 76.3 centimeters
“Keith Haring’s Studio, Cable Building, New York” (2023), acrylic on canvas, 167.8 x 212.2 centimeters
“Kusama’s Studio” (2024), gouache on board, 52.1 x 76.4 centimeters
“Matisse’s Studio, La Regina, Nice” (2024), acrylic on canvas, 172.7 x 173.5 centimeters
“Picasso’s Studio, Rue de la Boetie” (2023), oil on wood, 91.5 x 122 centimeters
“Roy Lichtenstein, New York” (2024), acrylic on canvas, 160 x 213 centimeters
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