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London Art Fair

© Ernesto Beckford, Chadds Ford PA (2021-2024)
Bronze Male 1200.jpg
Bronze Male​
(Framed)

Inspired by Greek bronze statutes of athletes from 300 B.C., and the young gods that now grace our fashion magazines. A handsome young warrior, wearing an armor plate, seems to be observing us from the perch of a tree and the clouds. A bit of mystery and Greek nostalgia. Handmade collage.

Callejeras
Callejeras
(Framed)

“Callejeras”” refers to female sex workers who solicit clients on the street, which is illegal in many countries. Some of these women struggle to escape poverty and support their families. This collage juxtaposes the dangers of street walking against a religious pose of the women, reflecting their sufferings.

Celestial Nudes​
(Matted - Not Framed)

Classically draped or naked beauties guide the way to the heavens. The female figures for this artwork come from classical renaissance paintings, but they are presented in a modern and almost abstract manner. Their faces seem tranquil, at peace, almost bored and yet inviting you to join them. They are sirens, calling you up to the celestial skies.

INSTAGRAM Doorstep.jpg
Door Stoop
(Matted - Not Framed)

The young woman perched on a doorstop is a study in contrasts. Her attire is a patchwork of eras, with a turban reminiscent of the 16th century sitting atop her modern, chic ensemble of a white blouse, black pants, and high heel boots. The push and pull of the scene is palpable, as if she were torn between stepping through a doorway and remaining where she is sitting. Overall, the image is one of beauty and complexity, capturing the capturing the concept of reconciling past and future.

Dos Hombres
Dos Hombres​
(Framed)

Portrait of two Spanish men against an abstract background. Elegant, gallant, youthful and handsome. Handmade collage using paper and watercolor.

Eighteenth Century Remnants
Eighteenth Century Remnants​
(Matted - Not Framed)

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Africans were forcibly taken to the American colonies, where they endured slavery on sugar, tobacco, and cotton plantations. This cruelty generated immense wealth for their oppressors, which is evident in the grand Palladian-style mansions that remain today. In my artwork, I depict a deteriorating mansion, marked by the presence of a ghostly slave, whose blood and labor built the structure. Unlike the mansion's decay, the slave is vivid, vibrant, and alluring, conveying a poignant message. Handmade collage combining images from old books, paper fragments, watercolors, and soft pastels.

Fisherwoman
Fisherwoman
(Framed)

Handmade collage symbolically depicting a fisherwoman, with images of fishes and blue and white tones symbolizing the sea. Collage made from watercolor, glue, bits and pieces of paper and images from old books and magazines that smell of smoke and coffee.

Gazing
Gazing​
(Matted - Not Framed)

Two elegantly dressed men, gazing. Staring into the future, staring into the stars, staring, and gazing at every wonder. Handmade mixed media collage using watercolor, pastels, bits and pieces of paper, old books and magazines that smell of smoke and coffee.

Holding Flowers
Holding Flowers
(Matted - Not Framed)

A woman holding flowers. Black and white collage, with bursts of colors. Life is a series of uneventful, boring events, followed by bursts of colorful excitement. Wash, rinse, repeat. Handmade collage using old books, bits and pieces of paper, and watercolor.

Living Room Elegance
(Matted - Not Framed)

Husband and wife stand elegantly dressed in their living room. He wears a red coordinated outfit with white sneakers, a black belt, a fashionable jacket with polka dots, a brown groovy shirt, a white wig, and a bow to hold back his ponytail. She wears black platform shoes, white socks, a purple blackish dress, a holster top, an elegant necklace made of rope, short sleeves, long hair, and a dazzling new hat. The living room sports wood floors, a red couch with green pillows, a blue metallic table, sconces made from seashells, and palm trees painted on the walls. A surreal handmade collage with watercolor, exploring modern elegance and humor.

London Flower Girl
London Flower Girl
(Framed)

In Victorian London, girls and women selling flowers on the streets faced poverty, exploitation, and harsh living conditions. They worked long hours, starting early in the morning and continuing late into the night. Many of them came from impoverished backgrounds and had little access to education. They were vulnerable to exploitation by the flower suppliers who took a significant cut of their meager earnings. They often lived in cramped and unsanitary lodgings in the slums of London, exposing them to health issues. They were stigmatized by society and had limited prospects for escaping poverty. The contrast between the beautiful flowers sold by these workers and their harsh lives is portrayed in this collage. The beautiful flowers are enormous, almost suffocating the flower girl, and her face expresses fear and anguish.

Moon Madonna
(Framed)

The collage depicts a striking image of a woman with soulful eyes and a beautiful profile drawn in black and white. Her rounded face expresses a humanistic interpretation of the moon. Her eyes are dark, and they exude an intense and captivating energy that draws the viewer in. She wears a crown of red feathers on her head, which creates a vibrant and striking contrast against her pale face. The feathers are arranged in a circular shape, giving the impression of a halo or crown. Her expression is peaceful and introspective, suggesting she is lost in thought or meditation. Combining the woman's serene expression, the stark black-and-white contrasts and the vibrant red feathers create a sense of magic and wonder. She embodies the beauty and mystery of the night sky.

Puppet Master
(Matted - Not Framed)

A skilled puppeteer stands before you, his gaze fixed directly upon you as his hands dangle over the stage, manipulating the strings of his puppets with precision. His face is a composite of masks, hiding his identity, but his hands are delicate and large, seemingly able to control anything they touch. He is a master of his craft, ready to play with the strings of anyone's heart or mind. Handmade collage using paper, magazines, and old books.

Purple Prom Night
(Framed)

The young man in this portrait stands out like a beacon in the dark, his striking red hair and bluish eyes catching the light and drawing the attention of everyone in the room. He is dressed to the nines for his prom night, his outfit a beautiful and unique purple coat and pant combination that seems to be made of a patchwork of different fabrics. The sleeves of his coat are lined in delicate lace, and he holds a matching lace handkerchief in his hand. He seems to have stepped out of the baroque days of Beethoven, with a modernized take on the classic look that suits our contemporary tastes perfectly. The bright splash of blue behind his head is a striking contrast to the pitch darkness of the rest of the background, making him stand out even more. He is stepping out, ready to dance, to impress, to conquer the night.

Red Moon Love
(Matted - Not Framed)

Amid a surreal and romantic night, two star-crossed lovers stand under the red moon. The woman is dressed in a brown dress with black trimming, revealing her high neck, red face, and blue diamond-like eyes. The man, a handsome troubadour with a colorful left eye, draws us in with his black and white appearance. The collage represents the yin and yang of romantic relationships, the binding and separating forces that exist. The lovers are lost in each other's embrace, consumed by their passion and ready for love.

Saint Sebastian Laminated
(Framed)

Saint Sebastian was an early Christian saint and martyr. He was tied to a tree and shot with arrows, though this did not kill him. This collage updates San Sebastian to show the beauty of his martyrdom. Handmade collage using bits and pieces of paper, magazines and old books that smell of smoke and coffee. The original collage is in my private collection. This is a limited edition, metal print copy of the original.

Sitting on a Chair
(Framed)

A handsome, middle-aged man sits on a chair against the background of an abstract painting in browns and reds. His piercing blue eyes are set off against a green leaf and a gentle hand that reaches from his torso to his face. He's dressed in a stylish grey-green outfit, consisting of a shirt and pants. A surreal paper collage with watercolor. Part of my series of collages examining male middle age and midlife crisis.

Something New
(Matted - Not Framed)

A semi-clad young man stares out into the horizon, looking for something new and wonderful. He is engulfed by scarfs, veils, and fabrics of different shades of blue. Blue is the color of hope. Surreal collage made from paper with watercolor.

Under the Spotlight
(Framed)

The collage portrays a young boy in a moment of playful curiosity, holding and admiring a paper figure of a Chinese goddess. The boy stands under a bright spotlight that illuminates his face and creates a chiaroscuro effect, adding depth and contrast to the composition. The goddess paper figure stretches her arms to the sky, mirroring the boy's downward-reaching hand gesture. Overall, the collage evokes a sense of childlike innocence and wonder, inviting viewers to join in the playful exploration of the world around us.

Unseen Beauty
(Matted - Not Framed)

The collage is a collection of disparate elements, each representing a unique type of beauty. The central focus of the piece is a bronze head sculpture from ancient Roman times. The sculpture has a delicate and elegant profile, and her eyes are either closed or empty sockets, giving her an air of blindness or unseeing. Below the bronze head we find the skin of a beautiful black model from a current fashion magazine. Her beauty is contemporary, sleek, and stylish. She wears a cape made of fabric from a Goya painting, and the clothing beneath it is mostly an Islamic carpet from the 18th century. Finally, the background of the collage features abstract inkblots from the 1960s that create an organic texture that complements the other elements of the collage. The juxtaposition of modern and ancient, Eastern and Western, creates a visually pleasing contrast. The result is mesmerizing, with each element contributing to a greater whole that is both beautiful and unexpected. The collage celebrates the unexpected beauty that can be found when disparate elements are brought together in unexpected ways.

What's For Dinner
(Matted - Not Framed)

In a dining room setting reminiscent of still life paintings, a woman with an unconventional, surreal face dons a green dress and captivates our attention. Her presence is enigmatic, as she holds fish concealed within her sleeves, adding an element of curiosity to the scene. The ambiance of the room is characterized by elegant goblets and plates, evoking a sense of antiquity. With an inviting gesture, the woman entices us to partake in a mysterious dinner, leaving us with a myriad of unanswered questions.

Youth in Red Cap
(Framed)

Collage depicting a young man deep in thought. He is dressed in rich fabrics of reds and purples, suggesting wealth and fashion. The red cap he wears is adorned with paper cutouts and his face is painted using geometric shapes to accentuate his eyes and cheeks, while his hair is also adorned with geometric shapes. Overall, the collage presents a complex image of a young man on the cusp of adulthood, caught between the world of wealth and privilege he inhabits and the unknown possibilities of his future. Based on a Tintoretto painting.

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