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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Contemporary Art / SKE - King of Time
- Artwork "King of Time" - Number 02/30 - Work signed/numbered by the artist SKE, delivered with certificate of authenticity. - HAND-FINISHED « Sculpture made for commercial purposes, hand-retouched by the artist SKE » - Description: Metal and glass clock, perfectly functional with date display, ultra-silent mechanism. Luminescent display in the dark. Wall mount. Diameter 34 cm. When Mickey wears the crown, time stops being wise. King of Time places one of the most universal figures in popular culture at the center of an universe where luxury watchmaking, street art and signs of success cross paths. Crown above the head, banknotes, golden coins, monograms, automotive star and a GMT-inspired dial compose a deliberately excessive, almost theatrical setting. The contrast is the essence of the piece: the childhood icon is propelled into an adult imaginary of desire, status and collecting. Around it, the background explodes with colors, tags and graphic fragments. The blue and red bezel immediately imposes a horological reading, while the dial refuses sobriety. Here, luxury is misused, mixed, and jostled by the energy of pop art and street art. SKE thus transforms a clock into a true wall-mounted collectible object: a piece that reads from afar as a familiar symbol and, up close, reveals an accumulation of details and nods. Made in aluminum, King of Time measures 34 cm in diameter and actually functions as a clock. This version is produced in a limited edition of 30 copies. More than a time-telling object, King of Time displays an attitude: nostalgia, pop culture, détourned luxury and urban energy gathered in one piece. - ARTIST BIO: SKE is a self-taught French artist with varied skills who grew up in the 80s/90s culture, inspiring a large majority of his artistic works. He constantly explores new techniques: acrylic painting, collage, stencil, graffiti, urban installations and digital art. His dynamic and expressive compositions, often with double meanings, blend the raw energy of street art with the visual impact of pop art. After an exceptional 2025, SKE’s market value has risen notably. Winner of the first prize at the Urban Master contest (2023), then elected Revelation of the Year at the Color Jam Challenge (2025). SKE was selected as "Artist of the Month" by the Opulence gallery in October, and he also benefited from a feature in an American art magazine confirming his international recognition. His works have already been exhibited in major venues in Europe, the United States and Asia, strengthening his place on the contemporary art scene. In parallel, SKE is also making a mark in the digital art market, a major trend of the last two years, reinforcing the appeal of his creations to collectors. Icons of popular culture, bold graphics and texture play characterize a style that is now essential. SKE is undoubtedly an artist to follow, to start or enrich a collection with rising value. Ranked & Awarded Artist – Pop Art & Contemporary Street Art A UNIVERSE BETWEEN HERITAGE AND MODERNITY SKE’s work sits in a prestigious lineage. His line carries the visual efficiency of Keith Haring and Andy Warhol, while incorporating the subversion of Banksy or the pioneer Blek le Rat. His works create a bridge between eras: they revisit classics, not hesitating to détourne the Mona Lisa by Da Vinci, Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, Hokusai’s The Great Wave, or Picasso’s deconstructed forms to confront them with a modern urban aesthetic close to Mr Brainwash or Kaws. POP CULTURE & NOSTALGIA Drawing from the collective imagination, SKE manipulates icons of our childhood. He stages the Disney universe with figures like Mickey or Pinocchio, and the symbolic greed of Scrooge. The influence of gaming, comics and the Marvel universe is omnipresent: from the Nintendo universe and the legendary Game Boy, to Pokémon creatures (Pikachu, Charizard, Ash), through Marvel superheroes. SKE crystallizes these memories in the manner of Daniel Arsham or Takashi Murakami. LUXURY, HYPE & CONSUMER SOCIETY In a style sometimes recalling Alec Monopoly, the artist plays with codes of success and materialism. The Dollar symbol sits beside luxury and fashion logos. His canvases capture the “Hype” aesthetic: sneaker culture (Nike Air Jordan, Adidas, Off-White) and haute couture (Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Louboutin). He also includes automotive adrenaline (Ferrari, Porsche, Bugatti, AMG) and precision watchmaking (Rolex, Tag Heuer), not forgetting mass consumer icons like Coca-Cola. It is vibrant art, with textured finishes sometimes reminiscent of Jeff Koons’ glossy surfaces or the facets of Richard Orlinski. This work is ideal to enrich a collection or add a dynamic touch to your interior. Instagram artist SKE: ske_shakeyourart
Estimate:$45.3
To the auctionView all items fromCatawikiorContemporary Art
Estimate:
$45.3
1996 Australia 1/10 oz Gold Lunar Rat (Series I)
12/06/2017
$475
Est: $590
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