In 2018, the Beano turned 80. To celebrate, Beano Studios invited internationally celebrated Pop Artist Horace Panter to feature characters from the Beano in a new exclusive art collection, with an exhibition at York gallery According to McGee the first stop outside of London.
Horace, who is also known to millions as the bassist for the iconic British ska band the Specials, has brought his unique vision to this project. All the works are Pop Art, based on classic pieces by Lichtenstein, Warhol & Hockney. Dennis and Gnasher dive into Hockney's LA swimming pool; Minnie the Minx becomes a Warholian starlet; Lord Snooty becomes a Lichenstein frame, complete with Ben Day dots, as does Billy Whizz in exhibition centre piece 'Whoosh!' The Bash Street Kids invade the high art world of Koons and Hirst.
The results are irreverent, comical and pay contemporary, collectible homage to the original artists.
