Marilyn by Russell Young
Marilyn by Russell Young
Russell Young ‘s art work feature some of the most iconic celebrities. He draws a line between fame, celebrity and reality in his portraits.The Marilyn pieces plays on Young’s notion of the tragic celebrity. The vibrant color scheme is inspired by California, where the image of Marilyn was taken.
Russell Young is a pop artist of international acclaim. Russell Young’s art is larger than life silkscreen paintings of images from history and pop culture. Russell Young hones the quality and texture of the original image and then enlarges to an uncomfortable size. Color plays a key role washing Russell Young’s subjects in faded pinks, yellows, blacks, silvers and blues.
Russell Young was born in 1959 in Northern England. From an early age, Young was drawn to the quintessential “American dream,” which he thought represented freedom and possibility. He eventually developed an interest in photography, and studied photography, film, and graphic art at the Chester Art College.
Young’s first photography job was under Christos Raftopoulos, who eventually pushed Young to take on projects of his own. Young started at the live club shows of Bauhaus, R.E.M. and the Smiths. The talented photographer quickly picked up work for magazines, shooting portraits of Morrissey, Bjork, Springsteen, Dylan, New Order, Diana Ross, Paul Newman and many other celebrities, as well as directing one hundred music videos during the glory days of MTV.
Less than a decade ago, Young emerged on the fine art scene with his first series of screenprints titled “Pig Portraits,” which depicted celebrities through the police mug shots lens. This series included screen prints of Jane Fonda, Steve McQueen, Martin Luther King, Jr., and more. These works were and continue to be recognized as uniquely “Russell Young.”
Several series have followed Pig Portraits, including Rebel Rebel, Shoplifters of the World Unite, Dirty Pretty Things, Bankrobber, American Envy, Only Anarchists are Pretty, and others.
In addition to recognition for his iconic images, Young is also acknowledged for his use of diamond dust. He began using this technique in 2007, pressing the crystals into the enamel of the prints. No two diamond dust pieces are exactly alike, as the crystals are applied individually to each work. Young’s Marilyn Monroe diamond dust pieces continue to reach new highs at public auction. His pieces have graced the auction block at Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Phillips de Pury in both the United States and the UK.
Russell Young lives and works on the California coast and in Brooklyn, New York. His work has been shown in London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, Singapore, New York, Detroit, Miami and Los Angeles. His works are in acclaimed collections such as the Balthazar Getty (of the Getty Museum), Abey Rosen, Barack Obama, Brad Pitt, and more.
Artwork

Marilyn Crying (Red) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Red) by Russell Young

Marilyn Superstar (Capitola Pink) by Russell Young
Marilyn Superstar (Capitola Pink) by Russell Young

Marilyn Superstar (Blind Red) by Russell Young
Marilyn Superstar (Blind Red) by Russell Young

Marilyn Superstar (Silver) by Russell Young
Marilyn Superstar (Silver) by Russell Young

Marilyn Superstar (Gold) by Russell Young
Marilyn Superstar (Gold) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Sierra Bonita Pink) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Sierra Bonita Pink) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Light Pink and Dark Pink) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Light Pink and Dark Pink) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (El Centro Purple) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (El Centro Purple) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Lavender) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Lavender) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Amber and Black) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Amber and Black) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Bondi Blue) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Bondi Blue) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Gold) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Gold) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Crow Blue) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Crow Blue) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Formosa Pink) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Formosa Pink) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (B&W) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (B&W) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Red) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Red) by Russell Young

Marilyn Superstar (Maverick Yellow) by Russell Young
Marilyn Superstar (Maverick Yellow) by Russell Young

Marilyn Superstar (Pacifica Blue) by Russell Young
Marilyn Superstar (Pacifica Blue) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Centro Blue) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Centro Blue) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Western Pink) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Western Pink) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Serrano Pink) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Serrano Pink) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (orange) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (orange) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (New York) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (New York) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying Pink by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying Pink by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying by Russell Young

Marilyn Desire by Russell Young
Marilyn Desire by Russell Young

Marilyn (Rosewood Pink) by Russell Young
Marilyn (Rosewood Pink) by Russell Young

Marilyn Godess (B&W) by Russell Young
Marilyn Godess (B&W) by Russell Young

Marilyn Up Close by Russell Young
Marilyn Up Close by Russell Young

Glamour Marilyn (Violet) by Russell Young
Glamour Marilyn (Violet) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying (Violet) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying (Violet) by Russell Young

Marilyn Crying ( French Rose) by Russell Young
Marilyn Crying ( French Rose) by Russell Young
