The Connor Brothers Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

The
Connor Brothers

The Connor Brothers, a pseudonymous artistic duo, examine themes of truth, fiction, and popular culture in their mixed-media pieces incorporating vintage book covers and text. If you’re looking for original The Connor Brothers prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network’s most in-demand works.

Biography

The Connor Brothers, a dynamic British artistic duo, comprises twin brothers Mike Snelle and James Golding. The Connor Brothers' artistic style is a unique blend of Pop Art, appropriation, and Surrealism. Their works often incorporate vintage book covers and film posters as well as literature quotes, creating visually striking pieces that provoke thought and challenge the viewers' perceptions of reality.

The Connor Brothers’ Early Life

Born in London in 1968, they were orphaned at an early age and were then adopted by an American family. They spent their formative years in a Christian commune in Missouri and later escaped to New York at the age of 16. Despite the challenges they faced in their early years, the brothers found solace in their shared passion for art, literature, and film. This creative outlet allowed them to navigate through their tumultuous past and ultimately led to the formation of their artistic alter-egos, The Connor Brothers.

Initially, The Connor Brothers were presented as reclusive brothers Franklyn and Brendan Connor, who came to light after a chance discovery of their works in a rubbish heap in Brooklyn. This elaborate backstory provided the artists with an aura of mystery and intrigue, which helped to garner attention and curiosity from the art world. However, as their popularity grew, Mike and James decided to reveal their true identities in 2014, during an exhibition of their works at London's Guy Hepner Gallery.
In their artworks, the Connor Brothers often explore themes of truth, fiction, and the human condition. Their use of humour and satire makes their works accessible, allowing viewers to engage with complex ideas and emotions. Their techniques range from traditional painting and printmaking to collage and mixed media, showcasing their versatility and commitment to experimentation. Their tongue-in-cheek approach to storytelling and manipulation of cultural iconography has led to comparisons to other contemporary artists such as Banksy, Shepard Fairey, and Mark Flood.
Aside from their artistic pursuits, The Connor Brothers are also known for their philanthropic work. They are actively involved in charitable causes, particularly those focused on mental health and well-being. In 2017, they co-founded The Connor Brothers' Mental Health Initiative, which aims to provide support and resources for young people struggling with mental health issues. They have also been involved in various fundraising activities in support of the Refugee Community Kitchen and the charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).

Loaded with banter and blasphemy, The Bestest And Most Expensivist Painting In The History Of Art is - ironically - The Connor Brothers' second most expensive work. The oil painting far exceeded its top-end estimate of £15,000, fetching £44,100 when it was sold at Sotheby's Contemporary Art Online auction in May 2021.

The work is a wry reimagining of the most expensive painting ever sold, Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, which achieved a groundbreaking $450.3 million at Christie's New York in 2017. In their facetious appropriation of this original, The Connor Brothers depicted da Vinci's Christ smoking a cigarette and clutching an ash tray. The work is a tongue-in-cheek critique of the art market, albeit a rather ironic one seeing as this work is one of the duo's top sellers.