Magnus Gjoen’s intricate, thought-provoking reinventions of classic masterpieces and relics will be making their way to Jealous East for a solo exhibition. A new print created in the Jealous studio will be showcased alongside other works by the ar7st under the exhibition title Le Paradis Perdu.

Le Paradis Perdu, also known as Paradise Lost; is an infamous poem written by the 17th century English poet John Milton. It is considered by critics to be Milton's best work, and helped solidify his reputation as one of the greatest English poets of his time.

The French translation published in 1863; a 12 chapter book with 21 engravings bought at auction by Magnus Gjoen, is the basis of this new collection of works. The human heart symbolic of love and life is juxtaposed on top of the original engravings to give them new life and meaning. The book tells the story of Adam and Eve and man’s first disobedience, which saw them expelled from paradise, along with the story of the angel Satan. The heart symbolises the first love between humans, but also mortality aer the loss of Eden.

Magnus Gjoen was born in London to Norwegian parents, he grew up in Switzerland, Denmark, Italy as well as in the UK. As a contemporary artist Gjoen has exhibited worldwide and questions the noSons of beauty by juxtaposing a range of styles and media, incorporating a street and pop aesthetic with a fine art approach. His pieces draw on history and allusion, using existing artworks or fragments from the past to create his own, contemporary aesthetic.

Describing himself as an ‘accidental’ arSst, Gjoen studied fine art and fashion design which led to a successful career in fashion, working for brands such as Vivienne Westwood.

A move back into the art world came from decorating the walls of his London flat and realising he could do so with his own artworks. Thought-provoking and oen-emotional, Gjoen’s art offers a modern spin on old masterpieces or manipulates powerful and strong objects into something fragile yet beautiful. By blending two genres from completely different worlds, his art is about rediscovery, taking things from the past and renewing them for the contemporary market.

Breathing fresh air into dusty old paintings found in the far corners of a museum or lending a sense of beauty and grace to typically powerful, even dangerous objects, Magnus Gjoen’s work invites a second look. It’s this ability to engage with the viewer and get them questioning, challenging and thinking that makes him a promising and successful young artist in the contemporary art world.