GARY JAMES MCQUEEN
Gary James McQueen was first introduced to the fashion industry by his late uncle Alexander McQueen, who mentored and inspired him to be the artist he is today.
He was employed as Head Textile Designer for the Alexander McQueen MRTW in 2005, experimenting with the application of artwork onto fabric to develop a niche of optical-illusion textile designs, constantly pushing himself and the boundaries of what could be achieved using a 3D canvas as the basis.
Gary James McQueen worked alongside Alexander McQueen up until his passing in 2010, and was trusted with many personal projects including the Chrome Skull artwork, which has become iconic as the face of the Savage Beauty Exhibition commemorating Alexander McQueen's life work. Upon the passing of Alexander McQueen, Gary James McQueen felt personally compelled to continue his uncle's legacy and family heritage. Taking influence from his late uncle, and also using the instinctive qualities that run in his blood, he continues to establish himself and the Gary James McQueen Brand, which he believes encapsulates the McQueen spirit.
With a practice centring around a devotion to storytelling, and the creation of enchanting, immersive worlds, Gary James McQueen's work explores the ephemerality of life, while offering a sense of escapism through his indulgently embellished visuals.
"Although my work addresses different topics and themes, the relationship between the distinct yet complementary aspects of life – the beauty and the brutal, the macabre and the romantic, life and death – is at the core of my practice. Whilst life isn’t always beautiful, there will always be beauty to be found in the worlds of my creation." – Gary James McQueen
Gary James McQueen has exhibited his lenticular works internationally, including a breakout solo show in Austin, Texas in 2024, and at Art Basel Miami 2023. McQueen has also exhibited in London, New York, Hong Kong, and Miami with TAG Fine Arts.
Savage Beauty – “Alexander McQueen”
Available for the first time in a new size, this lenticular artwork is comprised of two separate images: a personal portrait of Alexander McQueen taken by Gary (2008) in the McQueen studio and a golden skull artwork.
Photo-manipulated images of Tower Bridge encapsulate the very heart of London within the DNA of the artwork, allowing for a highly graphic presentation of the late Alexander McQueen framed within this striking visual narrative.
The skull symbol has become synonymous with the Alexander McQueen name, making "Savage Beauty" a highly desirable and iconic piece of McQueen imagery. It features on the front cover of the celebrated book of the same name
"This is a very poignant piece for me personally. We worked on this concept together and it reminds me of our shared love of storytelling."
– Gary James McQueen
Transition Frame of Savage Beauty – “Alexander McQueen”
Vanitas Skull – Antique Silver Edition
The original Vanitas Skull artwork was created as the hero image for the BAFTA nominated "McQueen" film, paying homage to Gary's uncle and mentor Alexander Lee McQueen.
Shimmering in antique silver for the first time, the limited edition lenticular fuses pioneering technology with traditional values and nature’s beauty. It comprises a physical golden skull sculpture which was hand drawn and then digitally sculpted. The time-lapse of the delicate flowers, birds and moths embedded in the skull work in unison to form an intricate and exotic immersive experience. The flowers dying inside the skull’s framework set a tone that is melancholic and romantic illuminating beauty in the mystical and macabre.
"I designed Vanitas Skull with my Uncle’s spirit in mind. He would have really appreciated its melancholic romance, the combination of ideas from different sources such as motifs and natural elements, and the use of pioneering 3D art technologies."
– Gary James McQueen
Talisman Skulls – Elements Series
Talisman (noun)
An object believed to bring good luck or keep its owner safe from harm
The Talisman Skull series was unveiled at Art Miami in December 2023 to critical and commercial success. Building on the success of Eternal Bloom, Talisman is a new series of exotic skulls presented as 3D lenticulars. Talisman speaks not just to a gifted instinct for melancholic romance, but also to Gary James McQueen’s history of family addiction, domestic violence and tragic early bereavement.
This set of four transient lenticulars has been inspired by Gary’s interest in Eastern culture and his passion for the natural world. The digitally sculpted artworks fuse pioneering technology with traditional values and nature’s beauty.
Symbolic Eastern references including dragons, koi, frogs and dragonflies adorn the skulls. Each is embedded within metallic decorations and set off with vibrant hues inspired by the four elements that make up all matter - earth, water, air and fire.
"I’ve always been drawn to Eastern culture and design as for me their use of rich symbolism is both romantic and aesthetically pleasing. With these skulls I have tried to illuminate the beauty in topics that are a bit mystical, macabre and romantic."
– Gary James McQueen
Signed and editioned by artist
Edition of 150
75 x 60 cm
Talisman Skull – Lucky Frog
3D Lenticular
Framed in a black tray frame
Framed in a black tray frame
Signed and editioned by artist
Edition of 150 75 x 60 cm
Talisman Skull – Water Dragon
3D Lenticular
Framed in a black tray frame
Signed and editioned by artist
Edition of 150
75 x 60 cm
Talisman Skull – Red Dragon
3D Lenticular
Framed in a black tray frame
Signed and editioned by artist
Edition of 150
75 x 60 cm
Talisman Skull - Gold Nectar
3D Lenticular
Still Life Series
“These Still Life artworks have enabled me to elaborate on the Talisman series. Allowing the viewer to step into a broader environment, these artworks bring to life a visual narrative featuring elements and artefacts from the world of the Talisman skull.”
– Gary James McQueen
Still Life – Red Dragon
3D Lenticular
Life – Golden Nectar 3D Lenticular Signed and editioned by the artist Edition of 75 90 x 105 cm
