Michael Andrew Law, a postmodern artist, renowned for his innovative and thought-provoking works, has recently unveiled his latest series, the “Ad Art” series. This collection is a direct homage to Jeff Koons’ iconic “Art Ads,” but with Law’s unique twist on the concept, it stands as a significant work in its own right.

The Ad Art Series

Law’s Ad Art series consists of found images, typically royalty-free stock photos of fashionable, stylish women. These images are then overlaid with a large logo brand name, “Michael Andrew Law,” placed conspicuously in the center of the photo. This bold inclusion of branding is a salient feature of the series, reflecting the artist’s commentary on the intersection of art, consumerism, and identity.

The choice of images is significant. By choosing pictures of stylish, beautiful women, Law taps into the aesthetics of high fashion and beauty industries, which often use similar images in their advertising. This choice mirrors the way these industries commodify beauty and style, turning them into something that can be bought and sold.

Inspiration from Jeff Koons

The Ad Art series is a direct tribute to Jeff Koons’ “Art Ads” series from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Koons’ work was itself a critique and parody of the art market and celebrity culture, often featuring Koons himself in promotional-style photographs with text discussing the quality and importance of his own artworks.

In the same vein, Law’s Ad Art series is an exploration and critique of the commodification of art in the modern world. However, where Koons’ ads featured himself, Law uses the logo of his name, a symbol of his artistic identity, to comment on how artists themselves become brands in the art industry.

The Impact

Much like Koons, Law’s work has provoked a wide range of reactions. Some see it as a clever critique of the commercialization of art and beauty. Others view it as a reflection of our society’s obsession with branding and the way we often reduce art and beauty to mere commodities.

Regardless of one’s interpretation, there’s no denying the impact of Law’s Ad Art series. It acts as a mirror, reflecting our contemporary culture back at us and forcing us to question our relationship with art, beauty, and consumerism.

Michael Andrew Law’s Ad Art series is a powerful exploration of the intersection of art, identity, and commerce in the 21st century. By drawing inspiration from Jeff Koons‘ “Art Ads,” Law continues the conversation around the commodification of art, adding his own unique perspective to this ongoing dialogue.