Renowned food artist Nathan Wyburn has reimagined the iconic Marilyn Monroe Pop Art artwork using Pop Tarts.
The original was created as a silk screen, but Wyburn has paid homage to the famous work using over 120 Pop Tarts to create a unique foodie display.
It took the artist over 10 hours to make the piece inspired by the actress and the art movement, which started in the 1950s.
Wyburn was commissioned to create the tasty artworks to mark the 60th anniversary of Pop Tarts and to celebrate its heritage. The snack was originally called ‘Fruit Scones’ but was renamed to ‘Pop Tarts’ shortly after, as a pun on the popular pop art movement of the time.
The artwork will be on display as part of the new Pop(T)Art Gallery Experience, open to the public on 25th and 26th October 2024, in London, for visitors aged 18+. Foodies and art-lovers alike will have the chance to design their own edible masterpieces at the pop-up art gallery - using Pop Tarts as a canvas.
The food art follows research commissioned by Kellogg’s Pop Tarts which crowned Banksy as the nation’s favourite artist, followed by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and iconic pop art painter, Andy Warhol.
Notably, Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa emerged as the most 'overrated' piece of artwork, with over one in five Brits (22%) agreeing. Off the back of this, Wyburn also reimagined the iconic portrait out of Pop Tarts for the pop-up gallery.
The survey of 2000 Brits highlights a generational divide in art appreciation. While 46% of Millennials consider themselves art lovers, this figure drops to 29% for Gen X and 31% for Boomers. However, Gen Z stands out, with 61% identifying themselves as art enthusiasts.
Despite this passion, 31% of Gen Z admit they rarely visit art galleries, with 24% finding them boring.
A significant 37% of Gen Z respondents would be more inclined to visit galleries if entry was free, and nearly two in five (39%) are drawn to themed or unique exhibitions, with 29% wishing they were more hands-on and interactive.
Interestingly, almost half (46%) of Gen Z feel pressure to appreciate famous artworks due to their reputations, a sentiment less shared by the older generations.
The Pop (T)Art Gallery Experience will be open to the public on October 25th and 26th October 2024, and will give culture vultures the opportunity to munch on four flavours of Pop Tarts – Frosted Chocotastic, Frosted Strawberry Sensation, S’mores Choco and Marshmallow and Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae - tantalising all the senses.
Shauna Lenagh, Senior Director, at Kellogg’s shared:
“To highlight the little-known fact that Pop Tarts were named after the pop art movement, and celebrate our 60th anniversary, we have worked with Nathan Wyburn to bring the Pop (T)Art Gallery Experience to life. We look forward to seeing our visitors’ reactions to the artwork and the creative pieces they come up with themselves!”
Nathan Wyburn commented:
“Using Pop Tarts to create these pieces was a unique and intriguing experience that really captures the true essence of pop art – making the ordinary extraordinary. Marilyn in particular was a real challenge – to capture that signature and distinct look of hers. I, of course, have massive respect for the original pieces of art that have inspired this work, but I think they look pretty epic recreated out of Pop Tarts and bring a new, playful lease of life to the art.”
NATION’S TOP 10 FAVOURITE ARTISTS
Banksy
Pablo Picasso
Salvador Dalí
Andy Warhol
Jackson Pollock
Georgia O'Keeffe
Francis Bacon
Damien Hirst
Tracey Emin
Jean-Michel Basquiat