A culinary artist has crafted an iconic Marilyn Monroe artwork using Pop Tarts. The original portrait by Andy Warhol was a silk-screen, but Nathan Wyburn has paid tribute to the famous piece with over 120 Pop-Tarts, creating a vibrant mosaic.
Working from his Cardiff studio, it took Nathan more than 10 hours to produce the stunning series of pieces inspired by the actress and the art movement that began in the 1950s.
Warhol’s portrait of Monroe is one of the world’s priciest, selling for $195m in 2022, but this more modest version can be viewed at a pop-up exhibition in Bethnal Green, London.
The temporary gallery, created by Pop-Tarts to celebrate its heritage as the snack was originally named as a pun on pop art, will be open to the public on the 25th and 26th October for visitors aged 18 and over.
Nathan commented: “Using Pop-Tarts to create these pieces was a unique and intriguing experience that really captures the ‘true’ essence of pop art making the ordinary extraordinary. Marilyn in particular was a real challenge to capture that signature and distinct look of hers.”
He added: “I of course have massive respect for the original pieces of art that have inspired this work, but I think they look pretty epic recreated out of Pop-Tarts and bring a new, playful lease of life to the art.”
This food art follows a survey of 2,000 Brits which named Banksy as the nation’s favourite artist, followed by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.
Intriguingly, Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has been voted the most ‘overrated’ artwork, with more than one in five people agreeing. The study also revealed a generational gap in art appreciation, with 61% of Gen Z identifying themselves as art enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, 46% of Millennials consider themselves art lovers, but these figures fall to 29% and 31% for Gen X and Boomers respectively. Despite this enthusiasm, 31% of these young adults seldom visit art galleries, with 24% finding them dull.
The research found that nearly four in 10 (37%) Gen Z would be more likely to visit galleries if entry was free, and 39% are attracted to themed or unique exhibitions. A third wished they were more hands-on and interactive.
Shauna Lenagh, senior director at Kellogg’s, which is offering visitors the opportunity to create their own edible masterpieces at the pop-up art gallery, said: “To highlight the little-known fact that Pop Tarts were named after the pop art movement, and celebrate our 60th anniversary, we have worked with Nathan Wyburn to bring the Pop (T)Art Gallery Experience to life.”
“We look forward to seeing our visitors’ reactions to the artwork, and the creative expressions they come up with themselves.”