Swag On, 2024

JOHNNY ROMEO

Swag On, 2024

acrylic and oil on canvas

410 x 410 mm

Prepare to take on the world with the undeniable swagger of an ape in Swag On. Romeo vibrantly portrays a speed-loving party ape decked out in an Evel Knievel-style crash helmet. With a glint of mischief in his eyes and an appetite for partying, the ape fully embraces life with an infectious energy. The word passage 'Swag Alone' becomes ‘Swag On’, underscoring the way in which apes move with an innate confidence. At the same time, the title pays homage to the hip hop pioneers who popularised ‘swag’ as not just a sound but an attitude. Encouraging viewers not to lose touch with their primal essence, the artwork celebrates the raw vitality of the untamed ape within us all.