M HKA Ensembles

Drawing, 37 3/8 x 67 inches (94.9 x 170 cm), 15 x 21 13/16 (38 x 55.4 cm).

Collection: Gagosian, Los Angeles (Inv. no. JSHAW 2011.0006).

Jim Shaw's works are not only layered with respect to content, but they often literally consist of different layers. Works from the 'Men in Pain' series, to which Cake (Double Brian) belongs, are all constructed according to the same logic. The basis is formed by enlarged prints, fixed on the canvas, of advertisements for ready-made cake mixes from the 1950s and 1960s, the heyday of printed advertising in magazines aimed at housewives. As a second layer, Shaw imitates an abstract expressionist style. Finally, he paints a male model on top, which he asked to express a bodily response to physical or psychological pain. These 'men in pain' are the opposite of the always cheerfully smiling women from the commercials. Each work also has a piece that is 'missing', shown separately next to it, and thus creating a void or point of rest.