Marie-Lou Desmeules, from Quebec, Canada, uses paint, paper, plastic, and hair to transform models into works of art that resemble political figures, celebrities and historical figures, to name a few.
The 39-year-old spends up to five-hours per session, transforming models into ‘twisted imitations’ of famous figures – ranging from Donald Trump to Tarantino, Bowie, Zuckerberg and more.
She started painting on people 10 years ago, and developed her process of ‘cross-metic surgery’, which sees her analyse "the mask we wear" and how that relates to beauty and success.
I called it Crossmetic Surgery because I turn people into a living sculpture in the twisted likenesses of celebrities, pop culture or historical figures, through a cosmetic surgery.Marie-Lou Desmeules, Artist
Desmeules’ 200-strong abstract interpretations include: Kanye West, Pamela Anderson, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Manson, Kim Jong Un, Barack Obama, Mona Lisa and Sigmund Freud.
The underlying message the full-time artist, currently based in Valencia, Spain, hopes to communicate is that “beneath all of our material trappings, we are equally human” and the “subjectivity of fame”.
I am fascinated by the power of the image and the image in the public eye, the mask we wear, what beauty and success is. My creations are my life, they are unique portrait yet unique experience. They witness a chaotic orchestra of emotions.Marie-Lou Desmeules, Artist
Marie-Lou has been selected for the Anderson Rach Arts Central Fall 2017 Artist-in-Residence program and fellowship based at Snowmass in Colorado, USA.
Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj
(With inputs from AP)
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)