James McQueen & Robert Indiana

American artist Robert Indiana was associated with the pop art movement and is mostly known for his iconic image LOVE which was first created in 1964 in the form of a card. Indiana sent these cards to several friends and acquaintances in the art world. 

NO RISK NO STORY and STUPID CRAZY LOVE each centre on a single, emphatic phrase based upon the seminal text-based works of Indiana, re-filtered through McQueen’s materially expressive painterly approach. The authority of these works exists in their immediacy, and both artists aspire towards clear and universally recognisable images which possess the ability to relate to an individual’s personal sense of history and identity. McQueen, however, frequently introduces a layer of contention between themes of optimism and vulnerability, further complicating Indiana’s bold and iconic words.

NO RISK NO STORY simultaneously functions as a form of encouragement and a warning alongside its powerful message of ‘HOPE’. STUPID CRAZY LOVE similarly projects a knowing sense of self-awareness. While the bold declaration of ‘LOVE’ is earnest and sincere, it is undercut by McQueen’s message of love being impulsive, irrational and exciting at the same time. Both works exemplify his ability to distil complex and juxtaposing psychological states into deceptively simple forms. The authority of the paintings, like Indiana’s, lies in the emotional immediacy of their graphic designs.

McQueen’s painting process in these works also recalls elements of Cy Twombly’s practice, particularly in the physical treatment of the surface involving abrasion and overpainting. Mirroring these techniques, McQueen obfuscates meaning, demonstrating how visual forms and language can be manipulated through repetition and physical action.

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