The Minton Scarab

About the work

In this piece, as in his acclaimed Sèvres series, Gjoen combines the intricate ornamentation of classical porcelain design with the dramatic form of a giant beetle, to great effect. Viewed as sacred in ancient Egypt, the scarab symbolised rebirth, resurrection and transformation. Archival pigment inks on 308gsm cotton rag.

Describing himself as an ‘accidental artist’, Magnus Gjoen was born in London to Norwegian parents and had a successful career in fashion before his thought-provoking spin on old masterpieces and fragments from the past made him a sought-after name in permanent collections around the world, including the Haifa Museum of Art and the Daimler Collection. Blending genres from completely different worlds, Magnus’ art is about rediscovery. He questions the notion of beauty by juxtaposing a range of styles and media, injecting a fine-art approach with a street/pop aesthetic that invites viewers to look closer, question, and challenge.