A Dangerous Lesson

‘A Dangerous Lesson’ draws from a selection of René Magritte’s paintings, notably from the ‘Période Vache’ (1948); a controversial series, infamous for undermining traditional aesthetic conventions and seen as a precursor to the 'Bad Painting’ movement of the 1970s and 1980s.

Continuing with this subversive tradition, Pybus blends elements of ‘low culture’ and ‘bad taste’ into his paintings to create Frankenstein hybrids of Magritte’s work that blur the boundaries between high and low.

Michael Pybus (b.1982, Darlington) lives and works in Manchester. He earned a BA in Fine Arts from Goldsmiths College in 2004 and an MA in Sculpture from the Royal College of Art in 2008.

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Image 1:

The Mountain Dweller, 2020 Acrylic on Canvas 100cm x 100cm

Image 2:

Left: Checkmate, 2021 Acrylic and Flashe on Canvas 60cm x 50cm

Right: A Dangerous Lesson, 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 60cm x 40cm

Image 3:

Left: Double Tap, 2020 Acrylic on Canvas 30cm x 40cm

Right: Likeable Communist Woman, 2020 Acrylic and Glitter on Canvas 120cm x 100 cm