One of the most satisfying experiences is when meme culture and high art converge.
Perhaps no one embodies that phenomenon better than Seamus Wray, a Chicago-based artist with a flair for the memeable.
Apparently he makes a full time living as a freelance artist, which is a feat unto itself even for someone with as much talent as he has. And while he’s clearly got the skills to tackle just about anything, he seems most interested in pop-art expressions like recreating memes on canvas.
It ain’t much, but it’s honest work.
View this post on InstagramWhen you spend your time during quarantine painting memes
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But one day, apparently discontent with simply painting memes, Seamus decided to become a meme.
He did so with a series of meta-self portraits that gained a lot of popularity on Reddit.
Please enjoy the following gallery. No food or flash photography allowed.
1. (Self) Portrait
Who’s painting whom?
View this post on InstagramA self portrait painting myself. oil on canvas #art #painting . .#oilpainting . #selfportrait
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2. Painting the Painter Painting the Painter
This is getting out of hand, now there are two of them.
3. Three’s a Crowd
Love how he mixes up the mediums.
4. That, With Cat
The kitty is no more confused than we are.
5. Feline Dizzy
Is that a DIFFERENT cat or did you paint it black, Seamus? You weird wizard man.
View this post on Instagrami painted myself painting myself drawing myself painting myself painting myself painting myself
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It’s all enough to make you start to feel a little crazy.
But the results speak for themselves. The internet loved it.
View this post on Instagramback to your regularly scheduled programming #memeart #memepainting
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I guess it just goes to show that something doesn’t have to be high art to be high art.
I feel so cultured. And also so untalented. He’s got a bunch of his awesome work for sale via his threadless shop, so check that out if you’re interested.
If you could paint this well, what would you paint?
Tell us in the comments.