‘KILLER QUEEN’ is one of Ralf’s ‘icons’ series. The art is a complex montage, an intentional juxtaposition of icons, cultures, pop, art and music . Ralf explains: “ This depicts...
‘KILLER QUEEN’ is one of Ralf’s ‘icons’ series. The art is a complex montage, an intentional juxtaposition of icons, cultures, pop, art and music. Ralf explains: “This depicts perhaps the most powerful stage performer ever, transported to a house concert for a Harem of Ingres voluptuous ladies. Freddie was exotic and erotic in his time, as was this painting by Ingres, but neither overtly sexual. The ladies and Freddie are exposed for all to see…in a way they are all naked. You could sense that Freddie disappeared into the music at these moments, he was the music. I wanted to create a new scene, a new context, a new story. This is rather like a fantasy David Lynch style heaven. It’s so cool that the ladies have to wear shades. I want it to read as ‘Killer Queen’. But also as ’Killer’, because on stage Freddie simply killed it. Will we ever again see a performance so iconic, so epic?”
In the background, the quintessential Englishness of the iconic Queen, adds multiple references. The balloon dog, a reference to contemporary pop culture, but made from gold. A set of jacks (a centuries old game) that you’ll also find referenced or hidden in all Ralf’s work…symbolising ‘play’ which is what art means to Ralf, pure play. And of course Ralf himself, the Cairn Terrier is hidden in every artwork.