Above: “data privacy” by stockcatalog licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
PHILIP COLBERT x DEVO: LOB-STER DE-VO

Apr 23, 2021 Top 10 Picks

3 years ago

Editorial is open for submissions: https://bit.ly/3aCuaEE

Known as the “godson of Andy Warhol” British hyper pop artist Philip Colbert is celebrated for his masterful hyper pop paintings and has created a global following for his iconic cartoon Lobster alter ego. He has exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide from Tate Modern, The Saatchi Gallery, to The Modern Art Museum in Shanghai. 

For his second NFT release Colbert has collaborated with Iconic US band Devo to create the unique work LOB-STER DE-VO

LOB-STER DE-VO

“Devo were my favorite band growing up, and an inspiring creative energy, so it’s been amazing getting the chance to work with them on this work,” Colbert said. “I love the way the NFT space has created an accessible platform where art and Music join forces in a revolutionary way. Never before has their been such a platform to present art in this way. In art history i have always been obsessed with this cross over of art & music, from the Ballet Rus where De Chirco & Picasso designed costumes and sets for the Ballet to the aesthetics of the Punk & Pop movement.”

“For me,” Colbert said, “Devo are the ultimate art band, and for the work they created the unique Devo track LOB-STER DE-VO”. 

“Instinctively I felt that my Lobster and the iconic Devo energy dome were destined to be together: The Lobster loves Devo.”

Using a similar theme of the Crucifixion to Colbert’s first NFT work ‘The CRYPTOFIXTION’, Colbert further explores the role digital ideology is playing in the re-brith of a more digital orientated era for humanity, and the defining role art plays in such times. Colbert also play’s reference to the use of 3 crucifictions in DEVO’s Iconic music video ‘Through being cool’ 1981.                                                                                                                                 

About Philip Colbert 

Born in Scotland and living and working in London. Colbert is often referred to as the “godson of Andy Warhol”. Colbert has created a global following for his cartoon lobster persona and his masterful hyper pop history paintings. His work powerfully explores the patterns of contemporary digital culture and its relationship to a deeper art historical dialogue. “I became an artist when I became a Lobster” says Colbert. 

Philip Colber, Saatchi Gallery Lobsteropolis, 2020

Graduating with an MA in Philosophy from St. Andrews University, Colbert’s work has received international acclaim in museums and galleries worldwide for his energetic new approach to painting and pop theory. Following on from early Pop painters such as Richard Hamilton, Roy Lichtenstein and James Rosenquist. Colbert’s paintings cross high art themes from old master paintings and contemporary art theory with everyday symbols of mass contemporary culture, all narrated through the eyes of Colbert’s cartoon Lobster alter ego. He has been championed as a contemporary pop master by art world figures such as Charles Saatchi & Simon de Pury. 

Saatchi Gallery installation view, Lobsteropolis, 2020

Saatchi Gallery installation view, Lobsteropolis, 2020

Colbert with Lobster sculpture, Hong Kong, 2018

About Devo

Devo is an American rock band from Akron, Ohio, formed in 1973. One of new wave’s most innovative bands, formed in Akron, Ohio, in 1972 by Kent State art students Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh. 

With their synergistic mix of electronic rock, unparalleled, theatrical live shows and groundbreaking music-videos directed by Devo co-founder, Gerald Casale, they created a multi-media art assault that resonates in 21st century, contemporary pop culture. 

Devo

Devo took their name from their concept of “de-evolution” — the idea that instead of evolving, mankind has actually regressed, as evidenced by the dysfunction and herd mentality of American society. Their music echoed this view of society as rigid, repressive, and mechanical, with appropriate touches — jerky, robotic rhythms; an obsession with technology and electronics (the group was among the first non-prog rock bands to make the synthesizer a core element); often atonal melodies and chord progressions — all of which were filtered through the perspectives of geeky misfits. Devo became a cult sensation, helped in part by their concurrent emphasis on highly stylized visuals, and briefly broke through to the mainstream with the smash single “Whip It,” whose accompanying video was made a staple by the fledgling MTV network.

LOB-STER DE-VO on view at Colbert’s digital museum in lobster land

“I always loved lobster on the rare occasions my family could afford it… I loved it because lobster was the one meal where I felt the urge to play with my food”

MARK MOTHERSBAUGH, DEVO

“LOB-STER-DE-VO” Clawing our way into the future. Breaking free. Looking for new traditions. De-evolution is real!”                                –

GERALD CASALE, DEVO

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Paloma

Curator | Art Advisor at SuperRare

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