God Save the Queen

God Save The Queen – by Rune Furelid

In God Save The Queen, former Nerdrum-student Rune Furelid delivers a fascinating visual clash between tradition and rebellion. Based on classical painting techniques – characterized by depth, light, and shadow – the queen is portrayed in an unexpected, down-to-earth, and vulnerable context. This is not a distant, royal glossy image, but a popular "Olav on the bus" version of our own monarch.

Furelid draws on his background blend of classical figuration and rough street art. The beautiful, handcrafted portrait is contrasted by a pulsating, subcultural undertone: The title nods directly to the punk icons of the Sex Pistols, and the work leaves a subtle feeling that this everyday queen might need a saving, anarchistic hand. The result is both a beautiful and thought-provoking contemporary portrait that challenges how we view authorities, loneliness, and populism.

Total edition: 180

Size: 101.5 x 64.5 cm (height x width)
Technique: Mixed media/watercolor.

Each individual copy contains original elements, as each image in the series is manually processed in the final part of the process.