Tom Sanford
Volume 3...The Life and Times of TomPac
21.01.05 - 12.03.05
During the past years Tom Sanford (b. 1975) has artistically explored Hip-Hop music and the enormous influence it has on American culture - and youth culture world wide. In paintings, drawings and photographs exhibited at Galleri Faurschou we are presented with images of some of the biggest rap stars such as Tupac Shakur, Biggie, Eminem, Icecube, 50 Cent, Jay Z, Ja Rule and P Diddy amongst others.
Artistically borrowing from both pop art and realistic figurative painting, even iconic and Renaissance painting, Tom Sanford has focused on some of the conflicts between members of different Hip-Hop and Gangsta rap groups from the 1990'ies and onwards. Conflicts that have given rise to the violent use of both knifes and even occasional shootouts. As was the case with the East coast vs. West coast conflict resulting in the murder of both Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G/Biggie), both artists depicted by Sanford.
By appropriating stylistically from early Christian icon paintings and the pieta motive from Renaissance paintings, Tom Sanford succeeds in presenting Gangsta rappers as the icons they truly are perceived as by their fans. Of almost saintly status Tupac is depicted (in a modern version) as the crucified Christ during the entombment, surrounded by his nearest (in the case of Tupac, some of the people believed to be involved in his murder). Similarly 50 Cent is presented to us as a modern day martyr, full of bullet wounds.
Apart from using Christian icons and renaissance motives as a source of inspiration, Tom Sanford uses 'Terra Verte' (a mineral pigment that since the Renaissance has been used by artist to make the depiction of skin look more realistic). Tom Sanford paints onto wood panels using dark and powerful colors in oil, acrylic and leaf gold and finish these of with a thick layer of varnish, making the works shine like icons.
All the above results in a captivating and glossy surface. In their thorough composition, the paintings are rich with details and layers of meaning where references from both pop culture, American everyday life and politics are mixed together. The end results are paintings with a significant style and actuality.
Tom Sanford's staging of Hip-Hop personalities are juxtaposed with status symbols such as luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Burberry, gold chains and diamonds, big cigars and the obligatory hot babes. Along with symbols of American culture there are politicians, artists and celebrities appearing in Sanford's paintings. The inclusion of symbols such as the American eagle, McDonald's, Budweiser and "Stars & Stripes" in Sanford's work underline the fact that his art is much more than mere descriptions of a Hip-Hop culture in particular, but rather can be seen as descriptions of American culture in general.