Mark Shortland — Black Swan

An original work by British artist, designer and award-winning comedy magician Mark Shortland, whose distinctive paintings became the basis for his celebrated series of custom playing-card decks.

Shortland developed his unusual crossover between fine art, playing cards, film and magic through his 53 projects. His first series, 53 – A Collection of Art, consisted of individual acrylic paintings interpreting the cards of a standard deck. The paintings were subsequently reproduced as a limited-edition deck.

He followed this with 53 Magicians, portraying famous magicians through their recognisable costumes and signature effects, and 53 Films, featuring iconic costumes from well-known movies. The original 53 Films artworks were individually painted before being digitally scanned and reproduced on playing cards.

Black Swan belongs stylistically to this distinctive body of work.

The painting depicts a ballerina in a dramatic black tutu, reduced to the clean lines, simplified facial features and strong graphic forms characteristic of Shortland's card artwork.

Rather than conventional portraiture, Shortland concentrates on costume, pose and silhouette, allowing the viewer to recognise the subject through its essential visual characteristics—an approach central to his 53 projects.

The connection between the original artwork and Shortland's unusual collectible playing-card projects gives Black Swan particular appeal to art, ballet, cinema, playing-card and magic collectors.

Artist: Mark Shortland
Title: Black Swan
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 24 × 28 cm framed
Style: Contemporary figurative / graphic
Presentation: Framed
Status: Original artwork