Chester has a new collection of glittering Marilyn Monroe artwork going on show at the city’s Castle Galleries.
The exhibition by artist Simon Claridge is based upon reworked film stills of the famous movie icon which are ‘diamond dusted’ to create a shimmer effect, a process that he uses to show the glamour of Hollywood.
His association with 20th Century Fox gave Simon access to their photo archives from which he picked the stunning Monroe images – and then translated them into art, something which has never been done before.
“I’ve always regarded myself as a portrait painter,” says Simon. “It’s where my passion lies. For me, the screen shots of Marilyn from her Fox movies are the ultimate portrait - it doesn’t get any better.”
The Diamond Dust Collection represents Marilyn in symbolic black and white, enveloped in what has now become his trademark ‘diamond dust’ as a nod to the glamour and opulence of Hollywood.
Using the glittering diamond dust on each image, Simon ensures the works portray something of the aura of Marilyn and the luminescence of her being under the spotlight.
Mel Todd, Castle Galleries manager, feels the pieces make up a stunning group of prints. He said: “We are delighted to be unveiling Simon’s beautiful prints from his Diamond Dust Collection.
“He’s had a once in a lifetime opportunity to delve into a treasure trove of Marilyn images, and to work with the household name, Twentieth Century Fox, is an honour in itself. We have absolutely no doubt that these stunning Monroe prints will be snapped up very quickly.”
Simon has established a reputation for working with bygone iconic female celebrities and models as subjects, such as Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn.
The six images from Fox Presents the Films of Marilyn: The Diamond Dust Collection are available in small, medium and large size formats in both silkscreen on paper, and silkscreen on canvas mediums. Prices start from £995 and portfolios of all six images are available to buy at Castle Galleries, Chester.
For further information visit the gallery in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, call 01244 345 800 or go to www.castlegalleries.com .
