Art and film: a timeless duo

Some of the 20th century’s most iconic visual artists expanded their creativity beyond canvas and sculpture - venturing boldly into the exploration of motion picture. Marcel Duchamp, Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol each left their mark on the world of film, transforming screens into extensions of their creative ethos.

Warhol, in particular, redefined traditional filmmaking in the 1960s with his family of Factory creatives, producing over 600 avant-garde films, all reflecting his broader artistic values of drawing out the beauty of the mundane, offering a new take on the ordinary and everyday.

His films pushed the accepted boundaries of filmmaking and challenged the censorship of personal expression, including screen tests, silent movies and full-length feature films. Andy Warhol’s short screen test portraits of figures like Lou Reed, Marisol, and Bob Dylan captured his fascination with American celebrity culture—timeless icons whose fame, like Dylan’s, continues to inspire new works like the newly released film ‘A Complete Unknown’.

Featured Art: 'Icon - Audrey'. A Boxed Canvas with Gloss Resin Varnish by the Bisaillon Brothers.

Many films have been inspired by art, both conceptually and directly, with some directors crafting entire narratives or visuals that pay homage to legendary works.

Edward Hopper’s realist paintings, that often explored themes of isolation, have been recreated in multiple movies, including 1981 musical, ‘Pennies from Heaven’ which depicts his iconic ‘Nighthawks’ downtown diner scene. 2013’s 'Shirley: Visions of Reality' is the realisation of thirteen Hopper paintings, including his introspective piece ‘Morning Sun (1952)’, as interpreted by our artist John Myatt, whose own incredible story is set to be adapted for the big screen.

Artistic references can be seen throughout Hollywood blockbusters too, including 'Mad Max: Fury Road’, in which we see creatures resembling those seen in Dalí's 'The Elephants' – with their multi-jointed, elongated legs. Jamie Foxx’s character in Tarantino’s ‘Django Unchained’ appears empowered in the film, wearing a ruffled powder blue suit inspired by Thomas Gainsborough's 1770 painting ‘The Blue Boy’. And Scorsese’s neo-noir thriller, 'Shutter Island' features a romantic dream scene inspired by Gustav Klimt's 'The Kiss'.

Featured art: 'Morning Sun 1952 Nude on Bed' In The Style of Edward Hopper'. A hand-embellished stretched canvas by John Myatt in the style of Edward Hopper.

Creating a film scene with lasting impact is an art in itself. Such iconic moments are a natural source of inspiration for artists, who have often relished the challenge of reinterpreting them in their own unique stylistic ways.

Take prestigious pencil artist, Robert Bailey whose new collection, From the Adventures of Luke Starkiller, brings the galaxy far, far away a little closer to home. Robert has exquisitely illustrated scenes from 1977’s ‘Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope’ and placed them alongside original script pages from the film. The script featured originally belonged to actor Anthony Daniels, best known for playing the loyal protocol droid C-3PO in the Star Wars saga.  

Figurative artist Jon Jones also pays tribute to some of the most memorable moments in film from the last 70 years in his collection, Silver Screen. He depicts images from classic westerns and musicals, gritty crime thrillers, coming-of-age dramas and touching modern romances entirely in black and white, stripping away all distractions and distilling each scene wholly down to its narrative core.

Featured Art: 'Luke Disgruntled'. A hand-signed original pencil on paper drawing by artist Robert Bailey alongside an original rare Anthony Daniels' script page.

Witness a piece of cinema history in Robert Bailey’s new collection of exquisitely illustrated scenes from 1977’s ‘Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope’, placed alongside original script pages from the film. 

Visit our gallery at the International Convention Centre in the heart of Birmingham to view the collection between 18th January and 22nd February 2025.

Our expert art consultants can guide you in finding the perfect piece of film-inspired art to transform your home. Find your nearest gallery or talk to an art consultant online to find out more.

Featured Art: 'You Can Never Tell' and 'Magnificent Seven'. Hand-signed Embellished Canvas on Board Limited Edition by Jon Jones.