9 Things You Need To Know About...Pegasus
Victoria and David Beckham have been depicted as classical renaissance figures with a modern celebrity twist in a stunning piece of street art by renowned artist Pegasus.
The twin street works, in which David B is modelled on Michelangelo's David while Victoria is inspired by the ancient Greek Venus de Milo, appeared last week on Princelet Street, off Brick Lane, London E1, and the originals are about to be sent to the Beckhams.
Here's 9 things you need to know about this headline-making artist.
1) Chicago born Pegasus made headlines in both 2013 and 2014 with images of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton as the Virgin Mary with Prince George as baby Jesus.
2) That image was the fifth that Pegasus had created featuring the royal family; in 2014 he once again made headlines with a second pieces on Kate Middleton this time emulating Demi Moore’s infamous 1991 Vanity Fair nude pregnant cover shoot. In Pegasus’ portrayal the Duchess is heavily pregnant and nude covering her modesty while balancing a small crown on her belly. The piece was cleverly titled Game of Thrones.
3) The world media had a field day some branding the piece as tasteless and disrespectful while others praising it, calling it a beautiful masterpiece. Labour Councillor Paul Convery spoke to London 24 and has described the art as "tongue in cheek" and vowed to do what he can to preserve it.
4) In Jan 2014 Pegasus was signed under management to Lenny Villa who also successfully manages another anonymous street artist named Bambi. Under Villa’s management Pegasus has gained further success selling artworks to high profile clients which include Alexandra Burke, Alan Carr, Lindsay Lohan, Simon Cowell and Kim Kardashian.
5) Pegasus held his first sell out solo show at Faith Inc Gallery, London on Saturday 6 December 2014. In July 2016, Pegasus will be opening his next solo show, My Gods & Monsters, in London and then touring it to Los Angeles, Berlin, Cape Town and Tokyo.
6) His perhaps most famous piece may be Fallen Angel, an image of Amy Winehouse on the side of a Camden information centre (Starbucks) that was whitewashed over before being repainted and 'opened' by Winehouse's mother Janis in December 2013.
7) The artist has stated his influences include "the genius Andy Warhol. I also admire other artists such as Lichtenstein, Damien Hirst, Keith Haring, Mr Brainwash, Eelus and of course Mr Banksy."
8) Pegasus is featured in two books published in 2013. They are titled Happy Graffiti and Planet Banksy. The Artist has designed a book cover for a special anniversary edition of Encycopedia Madonnica
9) On the Beckham pieces, he states "The Beckhams are idolised and loved all over the world. They are a strong power couple. I wanted to rework classic art that has been admired for centuries such as Venus De Milo and The Statue of David and turn them into modern day celebrities."
Gods & Monsters ticket information http://www.pegasusstreetart.com/gods--monsters.html
