We are thrilled to unveil the latest collection of limited editions and original oil paintings from British artistic duo and creators of one of the most collectable and beloved series of artworks, Peter and Jayne Smith. Shelf Life’s contemporary still-life paintings merge every-day kitchen cupboard essentials with a mischievous twist, bringing together Peter's rich background in character graphics and the duo's humorous approach to life.
It’s life, but not as you know it!
Shelf Life
Peter’s dream to create his own fine art quirky parody versions of consumer items. Shelf Life is the realisation of that long-held dream. With meticulous attention to detail and a touch of nostalgia, Shelf Life promises to captivate. Whether you’re a longtime collector of the Smiths’ work or discovering their art for the first time, this collection offers a delightful journey into the creative world of Peter and Jayne Smith and, of course, the Impossimals.
viewers to reimagine everyday kitchen items through a playful lens. Each artwork subverts well-known brands and taglines, offering a humorous take on consumer culture. As tongue-in-cheek parodies, the collection pays homage to Peter’s childhood dream of creating quirky versions of familiar items. In the lates sixties, the Topps Company introduced a series of collectable trading stickers featuring parodies of well-known brands, aimed at children. The creative flair of the art featured on these stickers made a young Peter “smile, laugh and gasp in equal measure. I was too young to understand most of the jokes and cultural references on them though, but I wanted them all.” This was the inception of
As with previous collections, central to Shelf Life are the Impossimals - a series of artworks conceived by the Smiths. Born out of Peter’s expertise in character design and his fascination with capturing expressive personalities while using minimal features, the Impossimals inject humour and mischief into each painting. These Impossimals add depth and charm to the collection, embodying the classic British wit and sarcasm which has captured the imagination of art lovers worldwide, cultivating a dedicated collector base.
Shelf Life ’s contemporary still-life paintings merge every-day kitchen cupboard essentials with a mischievous twist, bringing together Peter’s rich background in character graphics and the duo’s humorous approach to life. Peter’s journey as a contemporary still-life painter intertwines seamlessly with the duo’s creative vision, resulting in artworks renowned for their intricate details and vibrant colours. Inspired by popular culture, parody, and a desire to rediscover the fun in life, the Smiths’ creations capture the essence of childhood whimsy while offering a fresh and humorous perspective on everyday items.
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It's life, but not as you know it!
Drawing inspiration from classic still-life masters to the Lowbrow Surreal Art Movement, Shelf Life invites
Cheaper Than Therapy ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 71 X 71CM £4,500
Shhh I’m Hiding From Stupid People ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 66 X 101CM £4,750
Like It Or Lump It ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 81 X 81CM £4,750
“The artworks have got white backgrounds, there’s no hiding. You’re focusing on the skill that went into creating that hand painted oil painting to make it look as realistic as possible in an unrealistic scale.” – Peter Smith
Kiss My Sass ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 100 X 75CM £4,950
I’ve Made A Few ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 52 X 100CM £4,500
Bon Appetit ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 91 X 91CM £4,950
Let’s Get Saucy ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 76 X 102CM £4,950
So STFU ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 101 X 49CM £4,500
Sans Poor ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 63 X 78CM £4,500
Another Day Another Idiot ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 97 X 54CM £4,500
Don’t Grow Up It’s A Trap ORIGINAL OIL FRAMED 66 X 91CM £4,500
Let’s Get Saucy ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 58 X 72CM £1,950
So STFU ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 72 X 58CM £1,950
Bon Appetit ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 58 X 72CM £1,950
Another Day Another Idiot ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 72 X 58CM £1,950
Cheaper Than Therapy ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 58 X 72CM £1,950
Shhh I’m Hiding From Stupid People ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 58 X 72CM £1,950
Don’t Grow Up It’s A Trap ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 58 X 72CM £1,950
Kiss My Sass ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 72 X 58CM £1,950
Like It Or Lump It ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 72 X 58CM £1,950
Sans Poor ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 58 X 72CM £1,950
I’ve Made A Few ORIGINAL GOUACHE ON PAPER FRAMED 58 X 72CM £1,950
Shelf Life Commissions For a limited time only, you can extend your own favourite product’s ‘Shelf Life’ with a personal, fun, and hilarious original. Peter and Jayne will create their vision of your favourite store-bought creations! Speak to an art consultant to commission a unique piece like no other that you will enjoy forever!
“Shelf life comes from a different direction. It comes from a very personal episode in my childhood, where I made an unexpected discovery.” – Peter Smith
Don’t Grow Up, Its a Trap!
Let’s Get Saucy
FLATBED GICLÉE ON CANVAS BOARD | EDITION OF 295 FRAMED 57 X 78CM £495
FLATBED GICLÉE ON CANVAS BOARD | EDITION OF 295 FRAMED 57 X 78CM £495
Bon Appetit
Like It Or Lump It
FLATBED GICLÉE ON CANVAS BOARD | EDITION OF 295 FRAMED 73 X 73CM £495
FLATBED GICLÉE ON CANVAS BOARD | EDITION OF 295 FRAMED 73 X 73CM £495
Shelf Life Set of 4 FLATBED GICLÉE ON CANVAS BOARD | EDITION OF 295 £1,695
Peter & Jayne Smith
skeleton. Used for their Lost Impossimals™ and Lost Alice™ character work, this ghoulish figure is clad in a Victorian temperance sash, which was used during the social movement to prohibit alcohol. Atop its shoulder is a 1930s doll, and on its skull is a headmaster’s mortar board hat, with a red wooden apple for its heart.
Hanging on the walls are construction sketches for the Impossimal characters, along with a frame filled with an assortment of childhood memories, games and vintage artefacts. These include an old Secret Agent ID, a set of false teeth, a flintlock pistol, a belt buckle from Peter’s teenage years and a box of working matches from 1903. Another quirky feature is a horse saddle, which Peter sits on to paint!
Peter and Jayne Smith are a British artistic duo and creators of one of the most collectable and beloved series of fine artworks. Popular culture, social critique and an insatiable love for finding the fun in life, Peter and Jayne’s creations remind us to recapture a little of that cheeky childhood sparkle we so often grow out of. Together they have created the Lost Impossimals™, Lost Alice™ and Impossimals® series, which feature his beloved characters in a range of humorous scenes and situations. The Impossimals have gained a dedicated following among art enthusiasts for their unique blend of humour, creativity, and artistic craftsmanship.
Full of ingenious riddles, wordplay and visual jokes, the duo’s surreal yet endearing artworks make an incredible gift or finishing touch to a home. Adult themes of love, debauchery and gluttony are underpinned by a desire to make his collectors smile and remember “the imaginative wonderment and limitless creativity” we experienced as children, which Peter believes is “something we lost as we got a little older.” The pair’s home is the perfect studio for their eccentric art, with quirks including a Victorian dining room and a two-foot teapot. Inside the studio is a wonderland of curiosities: along with a Victorian apothecary cabinet with real medicines, Peter and Jayne share their art space with a
“I am at the point in my career where I feel competent enough to tackle something that acknowledges that part of my past, and also does it justice in the future.” – Peter Smith
The images contained within this literature are an artistic representation of the collection. To best experience our art, we recommend you contact your local gallery to arrange a viewing. © Washington Green 2024. The content of this brochure is subject to copyright and no part can be reproduced without prior permission. washingtongreen.co.uk
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