80s Excess

About the work

A 1980s Mercedes-Benz E-Class hood ornament, coated in thick, dripping gold acrylic paint, mounted above a canvas also covered in thick, dripping gold acrylic paint, with black acrylic - all buried under gold spray paint and satin clear coat. The surface drips. The ornament sits astride.

The hood ornament was the status symbol of its era - the three-pointed star rising from the bonnet of a car that announced what kind of person you were. Removed from the car, dipped in thick gold paint, and mounted above a sprayed gold canvas, it becomes something between a trophy and a relic. The decade it came from treated them as the same thing.

"The decade of excess, surmised in one piece." - Adam Noakes

Dimensions

Canvas; Width (300mm) - Height (400mm) - Depth (38mm)

Ornament; Diameter (75mm) - Total height with base (100mm) - Base (25mm)

Weight; Lightweight - suitable for standard picture hooks <1kg

Materials

Pre-stretched 100% cotton canvas, 380GSM, triple primed, medium grain; 1980s Mercedes-Benz E-Class hood ornament; gold acrylic paint; black acrylic paint; black spray paint; gold spray paint; PVA glue; clear coat; zinc screw.

Enquire

This work is sold as a unique 1/1 original. A certificate of authenticity (COA) detailing all materials, dates, and edition status accompanies the piece. Created in July 2026.

Offered by private sale. Serious buyers are welcome to enquire. International shipping available.