Replicated classical paintings by Shawn Huckins that look like they've been defaced in Photoshop

When you initially feast your eyes on Shawn Huckins' work, you assume he has taken digital copies of American classical art and then played around with it in Photoshop. That, however, is definitely not the case.

Descending Eh, Portrait of Nathaniel Olds. All images courtesy and copyright of the artist.

Descending Eh, Portrait of Nathaniel Olds. All images courtesy and copyright of the artist.

The Colorado-based artist meticulously reimagines paintings from the White House Art Collection and then injects a contemporary, digital edge. It's as though he has used the eraser tool to reveal the transparent background underneath. Or even added random text over the images, hinting at today's "always online" generation.

In his latest body of work, Staring at the Sun, Shawn explores our times through the lens of history, responding to the current political landscape. "People on both sides of the political spectrum can be blinded by their core beliefs, and oppose any common ground," says Huckins of his new work.

It follows on from his Fool's Gold series in 2018 where he replicated works by Stewart and Bierstadt, Charles Wilson Peale and William Merritt Chase. "In an era where the internet makes everyone a publisher, and digital editing tools bestow the power to create realities out of pixels, these works examine our assumptions regarding the longevity of individual influence and institutions," Huckins adds.

Staring at the Sun is his latest solo exhibition, launching 6 June at the Foster/White Gallery in Seattle. Discover more of his work at shawnhuckins.com.

Washington Crossing The Delaware, Critical Drinking

Washington Crossing The Delaware, Critical Drinking

Smut Still Life With Fruit And Canary (Nature’s Bounty, White House Art Collection Erasure No. 28)

Smut Still Life With Fruit And Canary (Nature’s Bounty, White House Art Collection Erasure No. 28)

Smut Still Life With Fruit And Canary (Nature’s Bounty, White House Art Collection Erasure No. 28), detail

Smut Still Life With Fruit And Canary (Nature’s Bounty, White House Art Collection Erasure No. 28), detail

Laughing On The Inside, Miss Frances Lee

Laughing On The Inside, Miss Frances Lee

Abraham Lincoln, Tears Of

Abraham Lincoln, Tears Of

Study Of A 19th Century Landscape, Oh For Fuck Sake

Study Of A 19th Century Landscape, Oh For Fuck Sake

Two Birds, Seven Stones (John James Audubon, White House Art Collection Erasure No. 25)

Two Birds, Seven Stones (John James Audubon, White House Art Collection Erasure No. 25)

George Washington, You Tried

George Washington, You Tried

19_Descending Eh, Portrait of Nathaniel Olds

19_Descending Eh, Portrait of Nathaniel Olds

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