Our Favorite Works by Death NYC

Death NYC has created a signature street-art style that is instantly recognizable, whether on the side of a building or on the wall of a gallery. The New York born and based artist depicts images from pop culture in combination with motifs from popular art movements. Death NYC, whose pseudonym is an acronym for “Don’t Easily Abandon The Hope,” began her career as an anonymous street artist by painting on the walls and floors of mainstream stores in New York City. Keep reading to learn more about our favorite pieces of unique street art!

On her paintings of figures such as Queen Elizabeth, Mickey Mouse, Marilyn Monroe and The Beatles to name a few, the artist layers elements recognizable as popular movements from art history, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Jeff Koons’ balloon animals, or Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night. In distorting and adding humor to these common images, the artist forces us to ponder consumerism and idolization. Take a look at our favorite works by Death NYC that are available on Artsper!

1. Van Gogh Bow, 2015

In this work by Death NYC, the artist replicates a portrait of the famous 19th century, Vincent Van Gogh-and adds a large painted bow in his hair, messy red lipstick, and Chanel earrings. The portrait is even re-done in the signature style of Van Gogh, with short brush strokes of varying colors and directions. However, his modern accessories are clearly of a more recent time period in the pop art style. The juxtaposition between classic art history and modern consumerism is overtly clear in this contrast.

2. Creation, 2016

Death NYC gave this instantly recognizable scene, originally painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, a few humorous adjustments. The Creation of Adam usually depicts the biblical moment of creation between God and Adam, reaching out to touch fingers. The street artist adorned the classic Renaissance fresco with spray paint bottles wrapped in designer Louis Vuitton labels. God adn Adam even appear to be raising a toast with their new accessories–quite the divergence from the original masterpiece.

3. Death0319, 2022

In the work Death 0319, Death NYC combines playful symbols and motifs to create this joyful work. The beloved dog, Snoopy, created for the Peanuts short, “rides” through the sky on a designer dog house. He flies through Takashi Murakami clouds, with smiling flowers cheering him on.

4. Queen S Dog Red, 2019

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning former monarch of England, was commonly known for her love of the royal pets, her corgis. Death NYC puts a modern art and comical spin on the beloved pets, and illustrates the monarch with two balloon dogs, the signature sculptures by Jeff Koons.

5. Mona Tattoo Yellow, 2016

Leonardo da Vinci‘s most iconic masterpiece, the mysterious Mona Lisa, was given a street art makeover by Death NYC. The artist tattoos the Renaissance woman’s neck and dresses her in a luxurious Louis Vuitton outfit. She now holds a spray paint can that shoots out Chanel Number 5 perfume. This designer makeover prepares Mona Lisa for the modern streets of New York.

6. Édition limitée untitled, 2016

In this work, Death NYC adorns British supermodel Kate Moss with a few street art accessories such as an oversized bow and colorful tattoos down her neck. Even more unexpected, the supermodel poses in front of a Japanese woodblock print from the 19th century.

7. Monroe Glow Pink, 2015

One of the most iconic faces of all time, Marilyn Monroe, glows like a neon sign in this modern adaptation of her portrait. Her bright silhouette is surrounded by a designer print. The combination of this Hollywood bombshell and the luxurious background makes this piece by the New York street artist a very glamorous one.

8. DeathQ869, 2022

This work combines the style of two influential Japanese artists, Yoshitomo Nara and Yayoi Kusama. The figure, inspired by Nara, appears to wear a wig with Kusama’s famous dot artwork. The background features bright, designer labels, and a messy gesture of blue spray paint appears to drip down the masterpiece.

9. Death02742, 2022

Another Hollywood icon, Audrey Hepburn, is the subject of this street art masterpiece. This manipulated image of the actress’s feature in the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is adorned with details in the shade of teal blue that is instantly associated with the luxury jewelry brand. The luxury of this scene is elevated by the designer print and bottle of champagne added by the street artist.

10. 4 Drunk Sprays, 2015

Our final pick is a comical and glamorous take on spray paint cans, the very tools that many street artists use for their work. One can imagine high-end champagne being sprayed out of these cans with elevated, colorful labels.

A unique spin on street art

Death NYC takes an unexpected and entertaining approach to street art. And while the work is undeniably fun to look at, it also makes us confront bigger questions about consumerism, idolization, and other problems in the modern world we live in.