D*Face Going nowhere fast print

Description

D*Face’s artwork “Going Nowhere Fast” (2011) pays homage to Roy Lichtenstein’s famous painting “In the Car” (1963).

Lichtenstein’s “In the Car” explored American cultural gender stereotypes and romance by depicting an attractive, independent blonde woman and an idealised, rugged, square-jawed man. The couple is portrayed in motion, as if they were frozen in time, travelling at a high speed with dynamic action lines that bring the artwork to life. The man’s exaggerated expression and the woman’s captivating demeanour add drama to the piece.

Lichtenstein would paint his works on a monumental scale, much enlarged from his original source material of comic-strip illustrations. This work is based on an image from the comic Girls’ Romances 78 (September 1961) and published by Signal Publishing Corp. (the romance comic imprint of DC Comics). The original illustration by artist Tony Abruzzo included a thought bubble which read, ‘I vowed to myself I would not miss my appointment – That I would not go riding with him – Yet before I knew it…‘

In D*Face’s interpretation, the famous image incorporates both versions, featuring faces from Tony Abruzzo’s comic artwork and retaining the lady’s orange coat colour to stay faithful to the original. D*Face also added “go faster” lines and vibrant colours reminiscent of Lichtenstein’s style. Notably, the car has been updated to a more modern design.

In typical D*Face style, the woman’s temples showcase his signature “Winged Bomb” design, adding an edgy element to the piece. On the other hand, the man is portrayed as worn and decayed, creating a stark contrast between the two figures and amplifying the emotional tension in the painting.

D*Face’s iconic pop-art style often incorporates themes of decay and death, acting as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life. However, the intention is not to evoke sadness or despair but rather to celebrate the beauty and complexity of existence, both in its highs and lows.

D*Face’s solo exhibit “Going Nowhere Fast“(2011) in Los Angeles shared the same title as the screen print. Interestingly, the title was lifted from an old-school report.

“I took the title for this show from an old school report I found, along with the numerous could do betters, doesn’t seem to want to learn and easily distracted there was one teachers comment that stood out, it went along the lines of unless he changes his attitude, on his current path hes going nowhere fast it struck me as the perfect title to embody that Drive-thru, 16 lane superhighway American culture.” D*Face

D*Face’s “Going Nowhere Fast” mural (2013) can be found in Culver City, Los Angeles, CA, a location with personal significance to the artist due to family roots. The mural is an impressive work that blends comic, pop, and street art elements.

D*Face, “Going Nowhere Fast” Los Angeles, 2013. Image © D*Face