Hebru Brantley Flyboy, Hebru Brantley Gaia Pop Art Sculptures: set of 2 works.
Medium: Painted cast vinyl.
Flyboy: 9 x 8 x 4 inches.
Gaia: 7.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches.
Flyboy new in original packaging; Gaia contains some minor manufacturer indents at a gold base which holds the figure; some shelf-wear to outer box.
Flyboy published in 2018 from a sold out un-numbered edition by Hebru Brantley, Billionaire Boys Club & BAIT.
Gaia published in 2021 by the artist from a sold out edition of 250 (un-numbered).
Safely packed and shipped from New York, NY.
Artist Statement(s):
"Flyboy came out of characters of colour within popular culture. I hate saying “popular culture,” but it’s really popular culture. I mean you look at cartoons. You’ve got animated sponges and ducks and birds and whatever, and it’s very rare to see a popular character within any medium that is African-American, Latino, even Asian.
What I wanted to do was create that, but in a space of high art and be able to have some historical context to that character. So I looked at the Tuskegee Airmen, who were fighter pilots in World War II. They flew successful missions and they never lost a person. But at that time black folks were treated far less than equal. For me, it was important to have that historical context to a character, not to just have one for the sake of needing one or wanting one."
Hebru Brantley’s ethereal art toy features his much iconic, Lil Mama character as Gaia, the fabled personification of Mother Earth. Wearing her traditional aviator goggles, Lil Mama glides on a cloud high above everyday life. Brantley has designed Gaia as an amulet that he says, will ‘…provide you and those you love with blessings and protection…’
More on Hebru Brantley (American, b. 1981)
Hebru Brantley is a contemporary painter and sculptor whose work touches on onerous subjects that is playful to the viewer, by telling his stories through youthful characters and their adventures in a comic book-style. Inspired by his childhood as an African American in 1980s Chicago, Brantley’s work can be described as an infusion of contemporary pop art with Japanese anime, and the bold aesthetics of street art pioneers Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kaws and Keith Haring. While spray paint is often at the forefront of his mixed-media illustrations, Brantley utilizes a plethora of mediums from oil, acrylic, and watercolor to non-traditional mediums like coffee and tea. Describing himself as an Afro-futurist, Brantley’s energetic narratives combine realistic events with imaginative, fantastical fiction, to create fragmented compositions that evoke sentimental nostalgia and inspirational confidence.
Offered by Lot 180 Gallery New York. Based in New York City, Lot 180 brings to market a treasure trove of carefully curated Pop Art for collectors of all levels - specializing in works and rare collectibles from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami, KAWS & more: https://www.1stdibs.com/dealers/lot-180/ Follow us @lot180
