David Bowie, Madonna and Prince star in paintings by 80s pop star Boy George
Culture Club frontman Boy George’s new limited-edition collection of artworks explores celebrities’ relationship with stardom
British singer-songwriter Boy George explores celebrities’ relationship with stardom in a new art collection launching on October 25.
George has depicted music stars David Bowie, Madonna and Prince alongside a self-portrait from his Culture Club days for “Fame”, a limited-edition collection with British art retailer Castle Fine Art.
The colourful portraits of Bowie, Madonna and Prince, called Yamamoto, Madame X and Purple Reign, respectively, depict his idol Bowie in his “Tokyo Pop” suit, Madonna as her alter-ego Madame X – also the name of her 2019 album – and Prince in a purple coat, in reference to his 1984 album Purple Rain.
The works hang alongside George’s older paintings, including other celebrity portraits featuring intricate beading, studs, sequins and safety pins.
“It’s really a reflection of me and how I see the world, my sense of humour, things that I love, my heroes, people that influence me, people that have been important to my life,” he said.
“We all have our own relationship with fame … I would say my relationship with fame has changed dramatically in the last 10 years because my thinking about things has changed so dramatically.”