Menu 0
 

‘Dressed To Kill’ (James Bond) - The Original - SOLD

Mark Davies British Artist

  • To say I have quite a few collectors who are avid James Bond fans is an understatement! So here you go, it’s ‘Dressed to Kill’ and I hope that it leaves you both shaken AND stirred!

    I like to mix things up, and that is not just subject matter but also on the style of my work. Art with meaning without a doubt and some are so intensely driven by multi layered narratives, complex concepts, and hidden messaging. However, sometimes it is great to simply go crazy on impact and technical aspects to create a piece that can simply be enjoyed and embraced for its subject matter, and this is what I have done here!

    In 2023 I set about planning what would go into my Spring / Summer collection for 2024 and a James Bond London scene was pencilled in from the start. I am so proud of my work to date on Britain’s favourite secret agent and the mix of imagery, from subtle scenes that showcase the interaction between machine and landscape through to pieces laden with movie props that take an eternity to seek out.

    My initial thinking for this piece was to make it more London than Bond and that would have been successful and that has not been dismissed. However, as this collection evolved, it became clear that it has an intense quality and genuine depth (and darkness) to it and for me, I always strive to curate a body of work that works beautifully as one as well as individually. So, the decision was to create something with genuine class and have big impact yet be subtle and pulled back, not to be overcrowded. Therefore, the role of London would become a beautiful backdrop on the horizon rather than dominating.

    I investigated iconic scenes from our capital that featured within the movies and toyed with the idea of using the MI6 building as the base. However, what you see here is the splendid architecture of Somerset House that creates the structure for the scene, with a combination of Bond’s headquarters and the Houses of Parliament and the stunning dome of St Pauls. Somerset House is perfect as was featured in both ‘Goldeneye’ and ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ and it allowed me to overlay some subtle details for you lot to seek out, some are so subtle I struggle to remember what they are, so if you don’t know then the chances are that we are in the same boat! I have managed to get every Bond movie poster overlaid with the background of the scene so good luck with that!

    As dramatic and varied as the movies are, the overriding quality is class, utter class, be it through the Aston Martin or the evening wear. I set about creating a piece that resonated style and one that could simply be enjoyed as the very best of Bond. So, the emphasis was switched from a complex narrative to one of technical precision where I challenged myself to produce an incredibly complicated image by means of the production aspect to create a unified quality rather than a mishmash of characters that you often see. It had to look believable.

    There are many examples of pieces that features the iconic Bonds over the years, each with their own style and done with varying degrees of success. Each to their own and all. My goal was to take the 6 James Bond characters (I wasn’t fussed with the other one that barely anyone can remember his name) and get them in front of you. For those who have followed my work for a while will no doubt know that I love any opportunity to get an iconic car into the scene and this was always on the list. Is there a more iconic and beautiful car? Everyone has their favourite Bond and car, for me personally it was Connery and the DB5 as it brings me back to my childhood. The earlier films are the ones that always resonate with me. I’ll be honest, I am still to find time to watch the latest movie and am still crushed from someone telling me that he dies! Who knew?!

    As an artist I feel that you need to challenge yourself, to keep building and showing progression in your ability. It was incredibly satisfying to create something that was so technically difficult and to see how it sits in print. I can’t wait to hear what my collectors think to ‘Dressed to Kill’, hopefully this is the ultimate piece for the true James Bond fan. I’ll drink to that, although I’ll take a Malibu over a Martini!

     


    1. Released: 2024
    2. Collection: Decadence
    3. Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
    4. Specification: Embellished canvas, custom frame with diamond dusted inlay, hand signed by artist.
    5. Image Size: 58” x 36"
    6. Framed Size (Approx): 64” x 41"
    1. Get in touch for overseas delivery
    2. Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.

Category: James Bond, London, Movie, Movie Art, Movie Cars, Movies

Type: Original Artwork

Commissions

When workload allows Mark embraces client commissions and has enjoyed amazing success to date. If you have been inspired by the work that you have seen and have a specific idea or simply a seed then please do get in touch.

Commission Enquiries

Related Items

 

'Freddy's Coming For You!' - Freddy Krueger Claw Statement Piece

£795.00

  • Gepetto he is not, but this carved wooden plinth displays the stuff of nightmares!

    This intoxicating piece is the first offering to sit within his 'Against The Grain' series, a body of work that will grow over time and represents Mark's intention to continue to do things differently. Mark has built up an incredible reputation for the level of craft that shines through his unique frames, and it is these details that you now see in this piece.

    Everything about this is unique, from Mark hand selecting the piece of Elm at a local timber mill through to carving the claw marks that are soaked in blood red resin. No two will, or can be the same. What starts with a beautiful (and innocent!) piece of Elm, is then stained, blackened, bashed and burnt. The haunting Freddy Claw glove has it's metal blades set into the blood resin channels and is then subjected to the same level of customisation as the plinth.

    Limited to what will be just 20 original variations and priced incredibly well considering the level of craftsmanship and hours needed to create each piece. This is something that needs to be seen close up to be truly appreciated, but how close do you dare get to that glove?!

    1. Released: 2022
    2. Collection: Lost In Hollywood
    3. Edition Size: 20 Original Variations
    4. Specification:
      - Hand selected locally sourced Elm (obviously!)
      - Hand carved claw marks filled with blood red resin 
      - Blackened and burned 
      - Metal bladed claw glove
      - Title and number plaque
      - Hand signed by artist
    5. Plinth Size (Approx): 19” x 9.5”
    1. Get in touch for overseas delivery
    2. Please allow approximately 21 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
View full product details
 

'Grab Your Stick!' - Proton Wand Statement Piece

£995.00

  • Now this is for the true obsessive GB fans! Whether you call it a Particle Thrower, Proton Blaster, Proton Gun, Positron Collider, Neutrona Wand, or Proton Wand, the result is the same! This piece looks like it’s been in a real battle and got slimed and fried AF!

    I’m always striving to mix things up and look at ways of introducing my art in new formats and connecting with my collectors. Halloween 2022 saw me release something very different, and bloody dark! My Nightmare on Elm Street Claw plinth was the first piece that I have done that broke away from the traditional print editions and I loved every moment of it, and it has been so well received. It was a signal of my intentions to keep pushing and to deliver pieces that were true to my style but working with movie props to create something unique and special, whilst remaining true to my style of work. The aim was to offer a supporting piece that would complement a traditional print edition.

     

    So, my ‘RETROPLASM’ series has given me the opportunity to build on this and do something much less dark, although I couldn’t resist getting the blow torch out! ‘Grab Your Stick’ has transformed one of the coolest movie props that there has even been and made it, well I guess, funkier, and that’s before you turn the lights off – yep, the resin base glows in the dark whilst the neon paint also comes alive under lairy coloured light. 

    You are free to grab your stick, flick the switches and fire the sucker up! It will slam you right back to your childhood, just don’t cross the streams! Why not? Put simply, coz it’s bad, very bad! If you’re fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing, then maybe this will help. Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.

    Oh, but don’t stress too much, batteries are included!

     

    1. Released: 2023
    2. Collection: RETROPLASM
    3. Edition Size: 20 Original Variations
    4. Specification:
      - Light up LED, sound effects and vibrations 
      - Blackened and burned 
      - Small parts to connect the stand to the wand - fragile - handle with care.
      - Hand signed by artist
    5. Baseh Size (Approx): 23.5” x 8”
    1. Get in touch for overseas delivery
    2. Please allow approximately 21 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
View full product details
 

88 & Out - Original

    1. Released: 2019
    2. Collection: Lost In Hollywood 2
    3. Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
    4. Image Size: 48” x 36"
    5. Framed Size: 54” x 41"
View full product details

Newsletter Sign Up

We respect your privacy. Personal information will not be passed on to any third parties. You can unsubscribe at any point. Thank you.