William Gary

Popeye The Sailor Man 2024 

Acrylic, Oil, Oil Stick, Oil Pastel, Colored Pencil, and Graphite on Canvas

36 x 48 in

SOLD

“I paint childhood subjects from pop culture and my own childhood artwork.

Spongebob Squarepants, a repeating figure in my work, is the emblem of my creative expression. Spongebob, the paramount cultural icon for Gen Z, represents my peers’ blind optimism and detachment from reality in the midst of social, political, and economic crises. In painting Spongebob and other characters, I evoke nostalgia and comment on Gen Z’s escapism.

Most of my artistic subjects, and inspiration derive from sources that many would not consider 'high art': cartoons and children's art. Children's art and cartoon subjects could be considered "low-brow" and outside the norm of what fine art subject matter should be. However, I combine these subjects with my artistic technique of layering thick paints and experimenting with unusual applicators, while taking inspiration from oil painting traditions, and a knowledge of art history.”
https://www.instagram.com/william_gary/