James Francis Gill
Marilyn Leaving in Pink

One of the first artists to investigate the modern culture of celebrity, James Francis Gill shot to fame with his pop artworks in the 1960s, becoming an almost overnight success.

Originally featured in his 1960’s Women in Cars collection, ‘Marilyn Leaving’ was inspired by a series of black and white photographs Gill had seen in magazines of Marilyn Monroe leaving a car outside her home in Hollywood.

But Gill’s art could offer something the magazines couldn’t – colour – and when the original pieces began appearing in galleries, they were the epitome of cool modernity, giving the public a chance to see celebrity in a new light.

Some 60 years on, at the age of 90, ‘Marilyn Leaving in Pink’ sees Gill recreate one of his most acclaimed artworks with a modern vibrancy yet timeless presence. Created using a hand-pulled silkscreen method to accurately capture colours and details, it remains true to its firmly grounded pop art roots and the major themes of his life’s work.

Featured Art: ‘Marilyn Leaving in Pink’. A Hand-signed Silkscreen on Paper Limited Edition by James Francis Gill.

Gill was one of the first artists to paint Marilyn Monroe, depicting the story of her life in his iconic ‘Marilyn Triptych’ shortly after her death. Following the success of his triptych, which remains part of the Museum of Modern Art’s (New York) permanent collection, Gill became drawn to Marilyn Monroe as a prevalent theme in his work.

‘Marilyn Leaving’ is central to an idea that was ahead of its time, anticipating the omnipresence of celebrity culture, image sharing and struggle to protect one’s privacy.

The interior of the car is a cocoon of safety and security where Marilyn can be Norma Jeane. The moment she leaves the car, she steps into her celebrity identity. Who can see me? How do I appear? Am I being the person they want me to be?

Capturing this moment in the form of art, Gill exposes what the paparazzi couldn’t, a sensitive, reflective understanding of the figure ‘behind’ the camera.

Gill’s fascination with this subject would later become all the more poignant in 1972 with his choice to step away from the limelight, and retreat into self-imposed exile at the height of his career, owing to the pressures and lifestyle of his own celebrity status.

Featured Art: ‘Marilyn Triptych’. A Hand-signed Silkscreen on Paper Limited Edition by James Francis Gill.

The distinct footprints he had left in the world of art meant his re-discovery was only a matter of time. After being contacted by a professor at the Smithsonian, James Francis Gill triumphantly returned in the 1990s and continues to be as relevant as ever.

Cited in art literature since the 1960s and once noted as one of the top 20 artists in the world, to own an artwork by James Francis Gill is to own a piece of pop art history. His works remain highly collectible, featured as part of the collections of many influential museums around the world.