Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Keith Haring, Untitled (June 1, 1984), 1984
Over three years ago, social media maven Susi Kenna became obsessed with elaborate nail art, and it’s easy to see why. For talented manicurists, the fingernails offer 10 tiny canvases in which to create their stunning visual works. Kenna has put another spin on this trend by combining it with her educational background in historical and contemporary art into a blog. The artist’s Tumblr blog, called Nail Art History, chronicles her mesmerizing manicures as they recreate the essence of paintings and sculptures.
Kenna draws inspiration from a variety of artists and stylistic movements. Works by Picasso, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Chiharu Shiota have all graced her fingers. On Nail Art History, she compares the completed manicure with its source, and the results are incredible. The intricate details from the artworks are carefully painted onto each nail, from minuscule portraits to repeat patterns. It’s a unique homage to the power of visual art, and highlights its ability to influence disparate fields in creative ways.
As if recreating masterpieces isn’t difficult enough, the process involved in recreating them on nails is especially impressive. After Kenna has determined the artist, it takes about 24 hours per manicure to get the reproductions just right. Follow her blog to see what masterpiece she’s wearing next!
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Pablo Picasso, Girl Before A Mirror, 1932
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Sonia Delaunay, Color Stencil(Pochoir) from the portfolio COMPOSITIONS, COLORS, IDEAS (1930)
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Marco Maggi, Monochrome (Solar Yellow), 2014 | Photo credit: Job Piston
Designed by Susi Kenna and Ami Vega | Hand-painted by Ami Vega / El Salonsito | Inspired by the works of Basquiat X Warhol
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Elise Ferguson, Benny’s, 2014
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Chiharu Shiota, Dialogue with Absence, 2010 | Photo credit: Job Piston
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by KAWS, Ups and Downs, 2013
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Caitlin Keogh, The Intestine, 2015
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by the work of Barry McGee
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Yayoi Kusama, Where the Youth Is, 2013
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Donald Judd, Untitled, 1988
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Jonas Wood, Pink Plant Two, 2014
Designed by Susi Kenna | Hand-painted by Mei Kawajiri | Inspired by Stuart Davis, Owh! in San Pao, 1951
Susi Kenna: Website | Instagram | Nail Art History