Lewis Hamilton II. Portrait intervened by the artists

Lewis Hamilton II, 2017 by Hunter & Gatti
From The series, I will make you a star
Acrylic paint, Oil pastel pigment print on canvas.
Size: 74 H x 52 W in.
Mixed Media
Signed front and signed back
Mounted on a stretcher

"I will make you a Star" is a series of works by Hunter & Gatti that reflects their desire to bring together photography and painting in one format. The artistic duo was inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat's neo-expressionist paintings, and more particularly by a specific incident in his career: the moment that art dealer Rene Ricard spotted Basquiat's work at a party and promised him that he would make him a star. When Basquiat's work started to become famous, the art world was living a very special moment. New York's art scene was overflowing with charismatic people and having a strong public persona was a major influence in the way one's work was perceived. Despite the fact that Basquiat's art was undoubtedly unique, his image, his aesthetic, and his personality contributed the most to his success. Hunter & Gatti wanted to pay tribute to Basquiat's legacy by merging the celebrity portraits they have made in the past for fashion editorials and campaigns, featuring the most iconoclastic members of today's scene with Basquiat's inspired paintings that transcend the limits of the art world and form part of our collective unconsciousness - just like the famous faces of their photos. Their idea was to create a series of original hybrids that explore the limits of popular culture. We may recognize the identity of the celebrities that are hidden behind the layers of paint, but at the same time we are left perplexed by the new faces that have emerged and this contradiction is the essence of "I will make you a star”.
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The founders and artistic minds behind Hunter & Gatti, Cristian Borillo, and Martin Cespedes, have worked alongside one another for over a decade. Working as art directors, they have successfully produced numerous campaigns for fashion brands such as Burberry and Diesel. With this, Hunter & Gatti decided to explore even further the infinite possibilities of transformation by turning something as temporary as a fashion editorial, into something completely different and original; a unique piece of art. Thus, Hunter & Gatti was born. Hunter & Gatti immerse themselves in all aspects of development including creative initiatives, art direction, and photography; ultimately creating a holistic image for each individual brand.

This creative duo has worked side by side with iconic clients such as Hugo Boss, Kenneth Cole, Massimo Dutti, Carolina Herrera, Swarovski, Sony Music, and Guess. They have also worked with magazines like Vogue, Esquire, and Flaunt, who have applauded their ability to produce exemplary work. Globally recognized for their artistic style and creative aesthetic, Hunter & Gatti have also produced an array of fashion films, each having its own unique personality. Their constant need to revitalize their outlooks and perspectives on the world is what keeps their creativity flowing, giving them immense success within both the art and fashion arena.