Reinventing tradition and challenging perceptions of history is no easy task. So how can artists emulate the past, whilst putting their own spin on history?
Artists such as Daniel Arsham, Dan David, and Magnus Gjoen hover between styles, subverting traditional art techniques and forging their own unique style. Their artworks blend the old and the new seamlessly; each artwork in this collection is for fans of traditional and contemporary art alike.
In order to challenge tradition, artwork has to have the ability to mold and change human perception. At Art Republic we love to celebrate artists that seek to reinvent tradition and, as a consequence, cause each viewer to second guess their knowledge of the past. Daniel Arsham, Dan David, and Magnus Gjoen alter perceptions of time through their artworks. Blurring the boundaries between ‘old’ and ‘new’, each artist relies on creating contradictions within their work in order to disorientate the viewer.
Whilst Gjoen uses classical art historical references in his work, Arsham and David instead utilise classical materials such as marble to bridge the gap between ancient artistic practices and the modern day cultural objects they refer to. The following artworks are the perfect demonstration of how artists can reinvent tradition and leave their own mark on the past.
Referring to his works as future relics of the present, Daniel Arsham’s artworks reflect a sense of fractured futurism. Drawing from a historical background, Arsham re-contextualises the idea of ancient artefacts by taking modern objects and ageing them, making each piece look as though it was just discovered in an archeological dig. We love how Arsham’s artworks bring a fresh perspective to the tradition of sculpture.
We love how Dan David is dedicated to developing a new sculptural language, reimagining the relationships between traditional techniques and contemporary visual culture. Embracing the unconventional, David plays with the permanence of his sculpting materials and the temporary nature of the subjects he chooses to represent. David embraces the unconventional and transforms the historical connotations of both the subject and material of his art, playing with ideas of permanence.
Magnus Gjoen’s artwork is a flurry of contradictions. Life and death, old and new, glamorous yet macabre: Gjoen toes the line between each contradiction, resulting in a completely unique aesthetic. We love how the artist combines Renaissance and Classical source material with his own distinct motifs, hovering between styles and reinventing traditional artistic techniques.
Gjoen sources imagery from museum archives and other fragments from the past to create an unmistakable dissonance within his work, using these references to explore the relationship between power and fragility.
Are you intrigued? A large selection of our Art Republic artists are inspired by traditional influences - take a look through our collection of limited edition prints to find you perfect classical-inspired artwork.
