Biography
Paul Cassidy's work asks us to ponder who and what are iconic today. Taking inspiration from religious formats, that reference old icons of saints and martyrs, Cassidy transforms our pop heroes and cultural artefacts into beautiful and ironic statements. Cassidy's art is firmly placed within a Pop Art tradition, often subverting traditional imagery.
Each Icon is created in Photoshop and is assembled from a range of source images that are brought together to create a single, memorable image through enhanced colour, modifications and hand brushwork. The Icons are printed and applied to the surface by hand and finished with a 24-carat gold leaf halo.
Each frame is hand-cast and finished to appear distressed and aged.
Cassidy has also created 3D Icons by hand-casting popular figures such as Superman, Daleks and classical sculpture. These casts are also assembled by hand and completed with detailing in 24-carat gold leaf.
Cassidy has had a long relationship with Glasgow Print Studio since joining in 1992 including publications and many exhibitions both solo and in groups.
Cassidy lives and works in Glasgow. He studied fine art at the Glasgow School of Art, specialising in printmaking. He is also known for his pop art screen-prints and his long association with Glasgow Print Studio.