Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has created a series of artworks based on his life, with a Tarot-themed collection of silk screen prints
The works, entitled The Empress, The Lovers, The Emperor and Strength represent archetypal symbols which can be used to interpret reality.
Depp said: “I’ve always been tremendously curious about tarot… and there’s a great art to the cards”.
He said The Empress was inspired by Vanessa Paradis, his former partner and the mother of Lily Rose Depp. He said he had chosen to paint her with a tarnished crown: ” “It looks like a crown that has weathered storms. It shows a certain courage and strength of commitment…. the Crown has been through a lot; she still shines.”
The work The Lovers shows the equilibrium of romantic love, showing a male figure holding a rose and protecting the female.
Depp said The Emperor was inspired by a painting he made while filming Jeanne De Barry in France. He said of the eyeless figure: “He’s not really there, it kind of represents ignorant power. I certainly wouldn’t dare put my own face as an emperor. Never. I made ‘The Emperor’ somewhat faceless because if you put the Emperor next to the Empress who do you trust?… The Empress”
‘Strength’ is inspired by a large-scale painting Depp created when expecting the birth of his first child with Vanessa Paradis. The question “Why do you want to fight with something that doesn’t want to fight with you?” is etched into the surface as if spoken by the elephant that gazes at the viewer. He chose the elephant because: “They don’t live with any sort of menace in their bone and protective their own to the bitter end.”
Depp said the series of paintings: “represent in a way, a reading for me that I lived but also activating all the characters that I’ve played throughout my life.”
Ian Weatherby-Blythe, Managing Director of Castle Fine Art, said: “This latest collection from Johnny Depp is perhaps his most revealing and evocative. The four artworks are clearly deeply personal and showcase Johnny’s formidable skills as an artist.”
The artworks are being sold in the UK by Castle Fine Art. For more information go to:
https://www.castlefineart.com/uk/artists/johnny-depp/tarot
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