Swollen Vuitton Sculpture

Made from a recycled metal barrel this sculpture, replicating an oversized crushed Louis Vuitton handbag, belongs to the series of works entitled High and mighty. These larger-than-life renderings, made from discarded paint pots and chemical containers, are clearly satirical. The use of waste items to recreate branded consumer products is a regular feature of Gekko’s work. “Swollen Vuitton” is a statement artwork and a striking example of Norman Gekko’s artistic style. Just as with the smaller works from Identity badges, this sculpture comments on the contradiction between our desire for individuality and the need to belong. Here the artist’s playful humour and satirical world view is clearly on display. This should not detract however from the intrinsic technical challenges presented in this sculpture. The base materials have been remodelled by hand, shaped rather than cut, and painstakingly painted by hand with the unmistakable Louis Vuitton trademark logo.