Monkey King by Alina O'Dwyer
Explore Mondoir Studio
Medium: Mixed Media
Dimensions: 60 x 70 cm
Year: 2023
Price: $2100.00 USD
Status: available
This painting draws inspiration from Andy Warhol's iconic pop art portraits. I am particularly drawn to the vibrant colors and the unique perspective through which Warhol portrayed famous individuals. Motivated by this, I embarked on an experimental journey within the realm of pop art, choosing to depict an animal portrait instead. Employing a diverse array of mediums, including oil painting, golden leaf, and paper text clippings, I sought to create a dynamic composition that pushes the boundaries of traditional pop art. Central to the piece is a nod to The Rolling Stones, captured with their timeless declaration: "It's only rock'n'roll, but I like it!" This statement not only encapsulates the essence of rebellion but also serves as a testament to the audacious spirit of our protagonist. In essence, this artwork represents a fusion of pop art elements with a bold disregard for conformity. It symbolizes a departure from the conventional norms, both in artistic expression and in life itself. Through its innovative blend of mediums and its celebration of defiance, this piece stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of rebellion in the world of art. This art work participate exhibition ARTBOXEXPO Basel, Euroairport Basel, Switzerland 2003 Also this work participate World Art Dubai 2025. This piece is a mixing media on a canvas. It measures 70 by 60 cm and has been coated with a layer of professional varnish to protect it from sunlight and dust.
Why collect this work?
A broad violet field isolates the chimpanzee’s saturated head, while a pale crown and pasted slogans frame authority as something assembled from recognisable cultural signs.
- O’Dwyer states that Warhol’s celebrity portraits prompted this experiment in portraying an animal through pop imagery. The substitution makes fame and rank appear transferable rather than qualities belonging naturally to the sitter.
- The photograph shows a tightly cropped figure facing outward, its calm eyes set amid angular strokes of orange, blue, red, white, and black. Against this agitation, the crown reads as a blunt graphic symbol rather than convincing regalia.
- Catalogue information identifies oil paint, gold leaf, and paper text clippings on canvas. These media permit shifts between gestural colour, metallic emphasis, and mechanically printed language, disrupting any unified illusion of an animal portrait.
- Dated 2023, the painting is a useful case study in how portrait conventions can manufacture status. Its collision of monarchy, wildlife, and rock branding leaves open whether the crowned figure is being celebrated or gently mocked.
About the Artist
Alina O'Dwyer
Alina O'Dwyer is an artist on Mondoir Studio. Artistic discipline: painting. Based in Dubai.
Nationality: Russian
For me freedom lives in the nature. Humanity should put wild nature before the next oil pipeline or hight-rise apartment block.
