G66: NEON
Ionised gas emissions
The G66: Neon Anthology consists of two pieces that explore the intersection of text, light, and atmosphere within the Grafika66 visual language. Both works use typographic forms as their central element, with an emphasis on the recreation of typical neon signage.
The inspiration for the series comes partly from time spent in Soho, London, particularly the glow of neon signs that once lit the provocative corners of its nightlife.
Neon
[ Love ]
Year: 2024
Format: Print
Collection: G66: NEON
This piece shifts the exploration of mortality into a high-key, minimalist setting, pairing a matte white skull and ornate crown against a clean, tiled backdrop. While traditional memento mori motifs often rely on shadow and dark tones, here the symbols of authority and mortality—the crown, the sword, and the crossbones—are rendered in a bright, clinical space. The glowing, pink neon script throws a soft illumination across the lower half of the composition.
The work plays with the juxtaposition of hard and soft elements. The rigid geometry of the tiled grid and the sharp, metallic edges of the crown contrast with the fluid, hand-drawn quality of the neon tubing. By placing liquid droplets and bold black crosses alongside the central imagery, the composition balances classical European symbolism with contemporary streetwear aesthetics.
It offers a clean, graphic commentary on the enduring nature of emotion against the inevitable passage of time.
Carpe Diem
Year: 2022
Format: Print
Collection: G66: NEON
Carpe Diem explores the tension between permanence and impermanence through the combination of sculptural forms and illuminated typography. The work pairs mirrored black skulls with a floating neon script, creating a visual dialogue between mortality and optimism. While the skull has historically served as a reminder of life’s brevity, the glowing message offers a contemporary reinterpretation, encouraging action, creativity, and presence.
The piece draws inspiration from both classical memento mori symbolism and modern urban signage. Neon typography has long fascinated me as a visual medium, particularly its ability to transform simple words into atmospheric objects. By placing the illuminated text directly against the skull forms, the work creates a deliberate contrast between darkness and light, weight and energy.
Within the broader Grafika66 collection, Carpe Diem reflects an ongoing interest in combining graphic design, typography, and sculptural imagery. The composition balances minimalism with symbolism, using a restricted monochrome palette to focus attention on form, message, and light. The result is a contemporary visual statement that sits somewhere between fine art, design object, and cultural commentary.
