Prince, Richard | Pure Thoughts - Live Free or Die, 2007 — available on Composition Gallery

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Pressed metal replica license plate - Not signed or numbered

Richard Prince’s Pure Thoughts - Live Free or Die is a pressed metal replica of a New Hampshire license plate created in 2007. This playful artwork combines pop culture references and Prince’s signature use of appropriated imagery, in this case, the familiar “Live Free or Die” motto of New Hampshire’s license plates. The phrase “Pure Thoughts” and the inclusion of a Playboy bunny logo humorously subvert the original meaning, creating a juxtaposition between the concept of purity and provocative imagery. Prince’s work often explores themes of American identity, consumerism, and irony, and this piece encapsulates his ability to reinterpret cultural symbols with a satirical edge. Although unsigned and unnumbered, this object stands as a bold example of Prince’s sculptural work.

Richard Prince (USA, 1949) is a pioneering contemporary artist known for his provocative appropriation art. By rephotographing advertisements, altering pop culture imagery, and exploring themes of authorship, identity, and consumerism, Prince challenges notions of originality and artistic ownership. His controversial works are pivotal in the discourse on modern art.

Richard Prince

Pure Thoughts - Live Free or Die, 2007

Name: Pure Thoughts - Live Free or Die, 2007
SKU: 14008
Price: 7750.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Form

Sculpture / Object

Sculpture / ObjectA sculpture is a three-dimension object made using any one of the basic sculpting processes. These include carving, casting, constructing or modeling. Carving materials may be bone, ivory, stone or wood. Modeling and casting use clay or wax, while constructions glue materials together.

Medium

Object

ObjectAn object in art refers to any tangible thing that exists and can be depicted in a work of art. Sometimes, the object becomes the focal point of a painting, drawing, or sculpture, meaning it is the most important element in the composition. An object can be anything that can be seen or touched, and it is often used to convey meaning or emphasize certain aspects of the artwork.

Edition

Edition of unknow size

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●Inventory 14008

●Not Signed

Limited Edition Print

Mixed Media

GBP 7,500 - 10,000

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My studio is the only place I feel good in. There, I'm fearless; outside, I'm a mess.
- Richard Prince

Renowned for his use of appropriated imagery, Richard Prince is a painter and photographer whose works often reimagine existing photographs and media in an attempt to encourage the viewer to look at them from a different perspective – his Cowboy series features several ‘rephotographs’ (a photograph of a photograph) of the original Marlboro cigarette adverts that featured a lone cowboy; in choosing such an iconic subject, Prince hopes to strip it of context and simultaneously celebrate and expose it as a false construct. Asides from his ‘rephotography’, Prince has also created an extensive body of ‘joke paintings’ - the jokes are usually simple and rely on a punchline, one such example being “I never had a penny to my name, so I changed my name.” Prince was in inspired by the work of Jackson Pollock from an early age, noting that he was drawn to someone who was “fairly antisocial, kind of a loner, someone who was noncollaborative” - he was also inspired by the painting techniques of Willem de Kooning. (Artist website)

Artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat

What is East Village Art?

In 1981, Patti Astor opened the first art gallery in New York City's East Village, helping to launch the careers of various artists and musicians. The gallery started small but quickly gained popularity, contributing to the emergence of art movements such as Neo-Expressionism and Street Art in the area. The East Village became a hub for these new artistic expressions. However, the gallery closed in 1985 due to waning interest.

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Richard Prince

Pure Thoughts - Live Free or Die, 2007

15 x 30 cm

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Richard Prince