renowned artists reinterpret stormtrooper helmets for art wars

 
renowned artists reinterpret stormtrooper helmets for art wars
image courtesy of art wars

a fleet of stormtrooper helmets that have been reinterpreted by some of the renowned contemporary artists and designers has been exhibited at saatchi gallery. the ‘art wars‘ project is created by ben moore, art below founder, in collaboration with andrew sinsworth, the original creator of the stormtrooper helmet from the star wars film series. using the original molds used for the first star wars movie 1976, some of the most renowned contemporary artists were asked to make their mark on the iconic symbol in their own style. damien hirst, david bailey, yinka shonibare MBE, and mr. brainwash, among 14 others, painted, burned, and crocheted the objects to best reflect their artistic approach. the proceeds from the art wars exhibition and auction will go to the ‘missing tom’ fund, which was started up specifically to raise money to support the search for thomas moore, brother of art wars founder

hirst’s rendition features the motif from one of his most widely recognized works: spot paintings. various colored dots are wrapped around the exterior skin of the armor. mr. brainwash used his signature street art style to create a spray paint can shaped helmet, which is decorated to appear as a campbell’s soup can, appropriating the andy warol artwork as the subject of his design. 

art wars launch at saatchi gallery
exhibition views of damien hirst’s stormstrooper helmet at saatchi gallery october 9 – october 13
image courtesy of art wars

artist mr. brainwash, best known for his appearance in the banksy-directed film ‘exit through the gift shop’, has designed his stormtrooper helmet with campbell’s soup can motifs and a spray paint cap, referencing his street art works.

 
mr. brainwash
‘campbell’s condensed trooper spray’, 2013
acrylic capped abs storm trooper helmet by mr brainwash.
signed by mr brainwash and andrew ainsworth.
stormtrooper helmet made by andrew ainsworth of shepperton design studios using the original moulds he used for the first star wars movie 1976
dimensions : 12.2 x 12.2 x 12.8 in, 31 x 31 x 32.5 cm

the campbell’s soup can themed stormtrooper helmet
image courtesy of art wars

mr. brainwash and his stormtrooper helmet
image courtesy of art wars

 yinka shonibare MBE presents a reinterpreted helmet that is consistent with his artistic style. vibrantly colored beads and traditional patterns found in africa facade the sculpture.

yinka shonibare mbe ‘ipod invader’ , 2013
acrylic capped abs stormtrooper helmet, glass beads, dutch wax african cotton textile.
stormtrooper helmet made by andrew ainsworth of shepperton design studios using the original moulds he used for the first star wars movie 1976
12.2 x 12.2 x 12.8 in, 31 x 31 x 32.5 cm
image courtesy of art below

installation view at the saatchi gallery
image courtesy of art wars

british photographer david baliey, regarded for his fashion photography of celebrities like mick jagger and the beatles, has created an eclectic, collage-like helmet with green, red, and yellow coloring, that wears a top hat. 

david bailey ‘haitian witch doctor’ © david bailey 2013
acrylic capped abs storm trooper helmet painted by david bailey.
signed by david bailey and andrew ainsworth
stormtrooper helmet made by andrew ainsworth of shepperton design studios using the original moulds he used for the first star wars movie 1976
12.2 x 12.2 x 12.8 in, 31 x 31 x 32.5 cm
image courtesy of art wars

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