Smile, It's Brand New Mark Davies... Lunatics & Legends 2 - The Joker!
Mark Davies' ‘Lunatics and Legends’ showcases one character (some say, the ultimate character) - THE JOKER!
Consisting of 3 mesmerising images; a haunting ‘The Devil On My Shoulder’ which is available in full colour and a dramatic black and white version with coloured detail and a striking ‘Why So Serious?’ image that hits you right between the eyes!
In addition to Mark’s giclee limited editions, we're excited to offer lenticular, VHS and MDV (Mark Davies Variations) formats.
VIEW COLLECTION
Mark Davies explains more about the collection...
'The Devil On My Shoulder' (Black & White)
I have been asked to do this piece pretty much since I first started with my abstract figurative imagery but it is always a case of timing. 2020 saw my first Joker piece when I released ’Smile’ as part of ‘Lost In Hollywood 3’ which was driven by the impact that watching ‘Joker’ had on me from a mental health perspective. A truly incredible piece of filmmaking and storytelling! Watching how a person can change into something so destructive whilst being so detached from their actions as a result of being driven and pushed by the devil or devils on their shoulders was harrowing. Truly harrowing. Later that Summer saw the first ‘Lunatics and Legends’ collection which featured ‘Harley Quinn, this was hinted at if you look closely within ’Smile’. The plan for 2021 was to simply reverse this, so ‘Lost In Hollywood 4’ saw ’Toxicity’ released that showcased Harley in ’Suicide Squad’, which then set me up to finally create the Joker in this format.
'The Devil On My Shoulder' (Colour)
Art with meaning, art with reason. My works have always been driven by aspects of mental health, be it from my own experiences and emotions at the time or embodying those of a person who was struggling with their demons. Everyone struggles in so many ways, some live with their demons from day one and have never seen the sun, others are dragged down by opening the door to the devil and who’s whitest of walls become blackened by phantoms that cast their shadows so strongly behind them. Ultimately it is the voices that you hear that can define the outcome, do the words that heal come from another or from within? At the same time, words that burn - who, or what fans the flames? The devil and I.
'Why So Serious?
“My hopes for this piece is that it will resonate with many, for so many reasons as the devil comes in so many forms. Strip away the make up and the masks that we wear and acknowledge why your shoulders can feel so fucking heavy and your air around you can feel like a cage.”
My hopes for this piece is that it will resonate with many, for so many reasons as the devil comes in so many forms. Strip away the make up and the masks that we wear and acknowledge why your shoulders can feel so fucking heavy and your air around you can feel like a cage. Acknowledge how things can quickly turn black if allowed to. Turn your head away from the darkness, even if in stages at first and if all you feel that you see to your left or right is black then look upwards. This piece can simply be enjoyed as a celebration of three brilliant iterations of one ‘villain’ and that is fine, after all that is how so many films are enjoyed. Or, you could look a little closer, a little deeper into the mirror. Who do you see? Do you see someone close to defeat or someone who is a split second away from rising upwards. I know who I see today and who I don’t.
This piece was created to initially work in Mark’s brilliant VHS format but soon evolved to be adapted as a stunning lenticular edition as well as a cracking MDV canvas that is crammed full of texture and detail. Heath Ledger appears as the Joker through a dramatic blackened mirror with one eye fixed right on you as he holds up a playing card.
His battles with Batman are represented by the iconic bat icon burning as lava before the fires burn and the glass shatters as he shows his hand. His card changes to show a bloodied Batman as he hurls a number of other cards right at you. If you have played your cards right and secured a VHS edition, the glazing cracks
“One thing is for sure, a hypnotising stare and a thin grin on a man driven by hate and consumed by fear - there will be blood.”
and melts from the force of pure hatred whilst the insanely powerful lenticular piece plays this scene out right in front of you as you move closer. One thing is for sure, a hypnotising stare and a thin grin on a man driver by hate and consumed by fear - there will be blood.
A Full-Size Lenticular Original!
Not something that you tend to see, ‘The Devil On My Shoulder’ (black and white) is offered as a truly stunning full-size original 3D and ‘3-way flip’ lenticular piece with a hand-sprayed, ornate moulding, curated to look like a mirror’s frame. Mark has specified a lenticular of the highest quality, in a format rarely seen and produced by the same specialist that prints lenticulars for the likes of Damien Hirst. The end result is a truly immersive 3D experience where you feel like you can reach into the image through the mirror! A first but very much not the last, what this does it open up a whole new opportunity for how to present Mark’s original works!
Lenticular Editions
‘The Devil On My Shoulder’ and ‘Why So Serious?’ are offered as a boutique edition of just 10+2 and at an image size of 36 x 27” (the same as Mark’s Premium Canvases). Rather than the ‘2 way flip’ lenticulars that generally exist, Mark has curated a rare ‘3-way flip’ lenticular piece that creates a truly immersive viewing experience that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. Printed using a high definition lens that surpasses what you will typically be used to, this is a ‘no expense spared’ project where the focus is on the experience. The lenticulars are presented in a chunky double frame that is spray painted and customised by Mark in his studio to make each piece truly unique.
VHS Edition
‘Why So Serious?’ is also offered as a VHS edition! As you know, the ‘Lost in Hollywood VHS collection’ sold out within 48 hours and this edition is even more intense. With customised mounts and playing cards that raise up along with smashed, melted and sprayed glazing this is a truly incredible piece and now offered in a 20 + 5 edition to allow for affiliates to be able to re-order.