Happiness Is Expensive

Harnessing the alluring magic of an old book and a powerful quote, this bold and exciting limited edition artwork is by mysterious artist James McQueen. The artist, whose anonymity allows viewers to truly appreciate the art for itself, draws from a powerful range of materials and influences to create his work. For example, he sands through layers of paint and even the threads of a canvas to create the unmistakable texture of a vintage book; evoked here through a meticulous ink and silkscreen process. 

Framed and mounted in angled, charcoal pine and spruce, the playful colour of this artwork reflects its satirical quote; subverting the vintage aesthetic of a historical book. The elegant and poignant text thus completes this bold modern artwork also replete with contemporary art influences, from Banksy to Tracey Emin.

You can learn more about the elusive artist James McQueen here or shop his full collection Non-Fiction.