IVAN SMITH art. - TRETCHIKOFF

Tretchikoff

One of the characteristics of Pop Art is the appropriation of mass produced images.

In this 2021 series I revel in borrowing preexisting mass produced Tretchikoff images, recycling them by juxta positioning them with unrelated themes, I like to provoke meaningful conversation around consumerism, art, fashion, religion, and politics by borrowing from a variety of contradictory popular culture imagery that related to a specific theme. I use iconography ironically, creating new context by effortlessly absorbing existing ideas and restringing them into new and autonomous artworks.

I pay homage to the artist, celebrating his heritage and reinforcing his relevance in the 21st century with my digital reinterpretations of the original works.

“Sinyaya Ledi (blue Lady )”Digital art 2021

Fabulously bejeweled Chinese Girl inspired by Faberge.

“longue Vie Monica Sing-Lee”Digital art 2021

"Long Live Monica Sing-Lee" pays homage the model, Monica Sing-Lee that sat for Tretchikoff in his world-famous painting titled “Chinese Girl" Prints' of the original iconic 1952 painting became one of the best-selling prints of the 20th century.

TOP: Original Chinese Girl 1952

LEFT: Giclée Paper Print.

Vladimir TretchikoffKing of Kitch 1913 - 2006

Russian born South African artist had his first solo exhibition in Cape Town in 1948. After serval more well received shows including the USA, UK and Canada he decides to mass produce and sell prints of his work to be enjoyed by all. becoming the most sold artist of the 20th century.

CHINESE GIRL Halftone Digital art 2021

Halftone is traditionally a reprographic technique first used for newspaper printing. It makes use of different size black dots to trick the eye, creating a gradient effect. Used in silk-screening with flat colours underneath the black halftone creates this effect first used by Andy Warhol.

"Chinese Girl" (Orange) Digital Print

'Chinese Girl" (Green) Digital Print

'Chinese Girl" (Pink) Digital Print

"Four Chinese Girls" (Quadriptych) Digital Print

"Chinese Girl" (Zebra) Digital Print

“lady under the red star” Digital art 2021

"Lady under the red star" reinterprets "Lady from the orient" and speaks about Tretchikoff leaving his Russian roots via Java before settling in apartheid South Afrika. One of Tretchikoff's first works painted in Java, is one of his most highly prized works "Cock fighter"

As a young Russian graphic designer Tretchikoff was employed to design propaganda posters but, since moving to South Africa, Tretchikoff stopped using any Russian imagery in his work, as South Africa at the time was at war fighting "Die Rooi Gevaar" or "The Communist Danger" especially during the Cold War.

Top: Original Lady from the Orient 1952

LEFT: Giclée Paper Print.

Lady from the Orient

This study of an oriental beauty strikingly illustrates the artist's unconventional use of colour. Because Vladimir Tretchikoff spent so many years in the East, where colour reigns supreme, the artist became attracted to colour designs.

“lady Liberty” Digital art 2021

Top: Original Balinese Girl

LEFT: Giclée Paper Print.

Balinese Girl1959

All the mystic fascination of the women of the orient has been captured on this canvas. The baffling subtlety of the expression contains all that the mind of the West finds difficult in Eastern passivity of purpose.

“Zulu Maiden” Digital art 2022

Top: Original Zulu Maiden

LEFT: Giclée Paper Print.

Zulu Maiden1951

To Order

Contact Ivan for a tailored quotation and an explanation of purchasing options and process.

Digital artworks are available as:

30 editions on 41 x 41 cm Archive-able Paper framed or unframed
20 editions on 41 x 41 cm Perspex
15 editions on 60 x 60 cm Perspex
10 editions on 1 x 1 m Perspex