Thursday, 6 April 2023

The Iconic Image of Che Guevara in Neon

 The Iconic Image of Che Guevara reproduced in Neon




The iconic image of Che Guevara, shown here in neon, and originally taken by photographer Alberto Kordo on 5th March 1960, is one of the most recognised and reproduced images of the 20th Century. The terrible irony being that the reproduced image, sold on printed  t-shirts, posters and any other number of items is a product of a capitalist society so hated by the anti-capitalist Marxist, Che Guevara, a man who dreamt of a classless society and the abolition on money.


The piece was made using 10mm uncoated cobalt blue glass filled with blue gas (argon/neon mix), 10mm clear glass filled with blue gas, 10mm uncoated cobalt blue filled with neon gas, 10mm coated ruby filled with blue gas and a small piece of 10mm coated cobalt blue filled with neon and features the small neon star pictured above which sits on the beret that he is wearing.




Initially I asked to make this for a client but felt quite early on within the process that I wouldn't be able to live up to his expectations and returned his deposit in full. Having already done the drawings I decided to make the piece anyhow and was very happy with the results and no money has changed hands other than the purchase of the glass.

I am located in Farnham, Surrey in the UK. Any commissions or enquiries for the manufacture or installation of any neon sign projects, sculpture or neon artworks that you are thinking of, please contact me through my email address as shown in my contact details.