Ghost 2 2004

These works are based on a media photograph of rapper Eminem. Havekost scanned the picture, manipulated its colours using photo editing software, and then used the resulting images as references from which to paint the scene by hand using a brush and a spray gun. The compositions are identical but with the tones reversed. Havekost has used the word ‘ghost’ in the titles of several works depicting hooded or masked figures, reflecting his ongoing engagement with media depictions, and the process whereby the private individual vanishes and is replaced by the public persona. Gallery label, February 2016