Bidspirit auction | Man Up - Original Michael

Man Up - Original Michael Forbes - Man Up - by Michael Forbes (76cm * 101cm) Michael doesn’t always explain the inspiration behind his works – sometimes they are so obvious, they don’t need explanation. Other times Michael likes to hear what the painting means to others. In our eyes this is a fabulous commentary on the whole Gender Identity debate, reminding everyone, on all sides, to ‘man up’….after all John Wayne was the very epitome of American masculinity and his birth name was Marion. This piece isn’t a slight at anyone on any side of the debate; rather a reminder of the importance of not taking ourselves too seriously whilst retaining an open mind. Well that’s our take on it anyway, what’s your thoughts? Who is Michael Forbes? Michael Forbes is an internationally acclaimed, almost entirely self-taught Scottish Pop Surrealist artist. Based in the Scottish Highlands, Forbes uses his canvas to forge a highly imaginative, dream-like subconscious world where pop culture, biting satire, and whimsical wit seamlessly collide. In his youth, he worked as an assistant to the iconic British Pop artist Gerald Laing, a foundational mentorship that launched his career into a brilliant trajectory. Why is He Important? Forbes has shaken up the art scene by demonstrating that an artist can break boundaries from the most remote corners of the world. His cultural impact and prestige include: • Exhibiting with the Greats: He has exhibited his work internationally alongside legendary masters of Pop and Contemporary Art, including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. • Prestigious Commissions: He was selected by London Transport to paint the official Millennium poster for the London Underground, and his artwork is housed in major permanent spaces like the London Museum of Water & Steam. • Historic Shows: In 2007, he was chosen to represent the future of animal painting at the Animals in Art exhibition at Sotheby's—an event opened by Queen Elizabeth II—which allowed him to display his work alongside British masters from Thomas Gainsborough to David Hockney. His Famous Followers & Collectors Forbes’ distinct ”mischievous but wryly sweet” style has attracted an incredibly elite circle of Hollywood directors, music icons, and world-class billionaires. A few of his most prominent fans and collectors include: • Terry Gilliam: The legendary Monty Python director describes Forbes’ work as ”surreal, mischievous, wryly sweet... and chockablock with wit and wonder.” • Ricky Gervais: He once brilliantly summarized Forbes’ genius by noting: ”He may be a little bit mental… but in a good way.” • Madonna: The undisputed Queen of Pop is a dedicated follower of his vibrant and rule-breaking aesthetic. • Sir David Attenborough: The beloved natural historian and broadcaster is also a noted admirer of Forbes’ artwork. • Travis: The chart-topping Scottish indie-rock band commissioned Forbes in 2002 to create artwork for them, catapulting his work into mainstream musical subculture.