Pop artist Steven Howard’s homage to Hollywood icon on display on Folly
by Miranda Steadman | Contributing Writer
Pop artist Steven Howard has spent years collecting newspaper clippings about Marilyn Monroe, the larger-than-life Hollywood icon who died tragically at the age of 36 in the early hours of Aug. 5, 1962. After several years, Howard compiled these clippings into a massive work of art that represents her life. Marylin’s Dead, a mixed-media installation and tribute to the fallen star, will be on display on Folly Beach this month.
In an era before social media and TMZ, Monroe was a mega-star, with her name on theatre marques and at the top of newspapers and tabloids covering her alleged affairs and three failed marriages. Following her death, her celebrity has only risen in the public psyche.
Howard admittedly became obsessed with collecting newspaper stories about Monroe and spent most of his days searching for them.
“This was a very long process,” Howard said about creating Marilyn Dead. Because newspapers are inherently acidic and disintegrate over time, Howard had to visit a paper conservator in Manhattan to consult them on how to preserve the clippings. However, he didn’t start the gilding process of Marilyn Dead until he was on James Island.
Standing five feet tall and more than six feet wide, Marylin’s Dead took 13 years to come to full fruition.
With inspiration drawn from the famous pop artist Andy Warhol, Howard has found his own style of Contemporary Art, pleasing the eye with varying textures of sentimental items that make the viewer think. According to Howard, the piece represents the life of Marilyn Monroe, from Norma Jean’s childhood in foster care to her sometimes tragic, often-scandalous time as a one of America’s most enduring celebrities.
“This was a vision that came to me in New York about 17 years ago,” Howard said. “New York is like a melting pot for the creative world and creative minds.”
Howard meticulously added gloves over the news articles. He says this symbolizes Monroe’s troubled childhood in a foster home, something that resonates with him personally because he also spent time in foster care when he was five years old.
“I don’t want people to just see my work as being dark … I want people to see the silver lining in terms of Marilyn and her life,” Howard said. “I’m excited to exhibit her down here because at some point she’s going to be going back up to New York. I’d love for [Folly] locals to come and spend some time with her … Let’s have a good conversation about light and art. Those transcend everything.”
Marilyn Dead was first featured in an exhibit on Folly Beach at Folly Fossils on Saturday, May 23 and will be on display at Folly Fossils on Center Street until June 6.
“I really love Folly Beach,” says Howard. “Folly is like another home for me. My brother has lived here for over thirty years.”
Marilyn Dead will be on display through Saturday, June 6 at Folly Fossils N Art, located at 31 Center St # B.
