By Clare Dwyer Hogg
Life, for one such as Shopping Bag, can at times appear unduly taxing. My life, you understand, is not purely about shopping; if it were, any philosophical ruminations would seem pointless. Because it isn't, I can justifiably express empathy with those weary of the world's prosaic demands. And tell you why I like the offerings from Pretty Taxing.
Essentially, they've taken something boring (a tax disc) and made it not-so-boring, which is always good in my book. The neat pun also appeals of course: these people are selling tax-disc holders designed by artists. Art in your car? Pretentious, you might say. Who cares? I reply. If I'm in a traffic jam, I'd prefer my gaze to fall upon a piece of brightly coloured art by Peter Blake on my windscreen than observe the stages of repressed road rage going on around me.
All the designs are in limited editions of 500 - apart from Gavin Turk's 'blue plaque', which he requested to be unlimited - and they cost between £30 and £50 each. I've discovered they're excellent presents for people who've just passed their driving test, and most amusing for people who are fans of the artist in question, but can't afford a 'real' piece (yes yes, art for art's sake, I know). They all come with a certificate of authenticity.
Some of the offerings are slightly scary for Shopping Bag - Gary Hume's close up of a face with staring eyes that looks remarkably like Michael Jackson wouldn't do me any favours while parallel parking, for instance. But even though I'm usually a bit squeamish, Abigail Lane's real life heart pierced with arrows is just grand. And does anyone else think that Sarah Lucas's illustration looks like the new Mayor of London?
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