White and Silver Poppies
Sultan’s signature style features simplified representations of everyday objects (flowers, buttons, etc.), typically depicted in stark colors and removed from their backgrounds. In keeping with this aesthetic, Sultan’s poppy imagery was initially inspired by his own garden, but also harkens back to World War I and the famous Flanders Field (where red poppies allegedly grew on the soldiers’ graves). According to Sultan, the imagery refers more to paper poppies sold on Veteran’s Day than the actual poppies themselves. “I use a technique similar to lacquering furniture and polishing cars,” explains Sultan of the high gloss finish of the red poppies in his paintings. “It’s enamel paint and I polish it down until it gets shiny.” [1}
Year: 2021
Medium: Shaped aluminum, polished and with white powder coat, on polished aluminum base
From an edition of 25 plus 4 AP, 2 HC, 1 RTP
Size: 24.5 x 24 x 3.5 in (62 x 61 x 9 cm)
Base size: 21.25 x 3.5 x .5 in (54 x 8.9 x 1.3 cm)