Gauntlet Gallery — Ron English Print Index
Sun Flower Sculpture - Grin
Summary
The "Sun Flower Sculpture - Grin" is a Ron English x Made By Monsters mixed-media, steel-reinforced vinyl-and-metal work, roughly 42 x 26 x 23 cm, hand-numbered under the vase and stamped Art Fair Tokyo 2017 on the bottom with a COA. It applies English's grinning-teeth motif to the Sun Flower form; the listing cites 100 within a 333 series reference.
Why It Matters
The Grin colorway brings English's signature toothy grin to the Sun Flower, a defining motif that recurs across his skulls and characters. With an Art Fair Tokyo 2017 stamp and COA, it carries the same event provenance as the Smiley variant, and its grin treatment makes it one of the more emblematic colorways in the series.
Collector Perspective
The grin detail is central to English's visual identity, giving this variant strong recognizability. Retain the COA and note the Art Fair Tokyo 2017 stamp as provenance. The description mixes a 100 figure with a 333 series reference, confirm the actual under-vase number. Inspect the grin's paint crispness and metal elements before purchase.
Historical Context
The grinning mouth is one of English's most repeated devices, spanning skulls, toys, and flowers. Rendered on the Sun Flower and shown at Art Fair Tokyo 2017 through Made By Monsters, this Grin variant illustrates how a single motif migrated across English's forms while gaining event-specific documentation on the fair circuit.
FAQ
What motif defines this variant?
English's signature grinning teeth, applied to the Sun Flower form.
What provenance does it carry?
An Art Fair Tokyo 2017 bottom stamp and an included COA.
What is the edition size?
The listing cites 100 alongside a 333 series reference; verify the number under the vase.
What are the materials and size?
Mixed media, steel-reinforced vinyl and metal, about 42 x 26 x 23 cm.
About the Artist
Ron English is an American contemporary artist born in 1959, widely regarded as a founding figure of the "POPaganda" movement, which fuses pop art with political and cultural satire. He is known for subverting corporate advertising and cultural icons, creating characters such as MC Supersized and the three-eyed "Temper Tot," and reimagining figures like Ronald McDonald and cartoon mascots. English has worked across billboards, canvas, murals, and collectible art toys, and his imagery has appeared in films and album covers. His work critiques consumerism, mass media, and branding through a bright, hyper-pop visual language.
Collecting Ron English at Gauntlet Gallery
Where should I begin with Ron English?
Signed, numbered screenprints and giclees featuring his signature characters are strong entry points, while hand-embellished editions and originals sit at the top. His art toys and figures also draw dedicated collectors. Gauntlet Gallery prioritizes clean, well-registered impressions with complete signing.
How is authenticity documented?
Ron English works are sold with documented studio provenance and the artist's signature and numbering. We photograph the exact piece you receive, including the signature and edition details, so you can confirm authenticity before purchase.
What drives Ron English's value?
Iconic characters, edition size, hand-embellishment, condition, and documented provenance are the main value drivers. Low-numbered, embellished, and original works consistently outperform open or larger editions.