Best Before 2019

Here we see "Best Before" by Ben Frost, which appropriates and re-contextualizes imagery from commercial packaging and pop art. Frost, born in 1975, came of age during a time when consumer culture was becoming increasingly pervasive. In this piece, the artist merges the iconic M&M's packaging with the face of a woman reminiscent of 1950’s comic book art. This juxtaposition invites us to consider the ways in which women's images are commodified and consumed. The woman’s exaggerated features and anxious expression, combined with the playful and colorful candy branding, highlights the tensions between desire, consumption, and gendered expectations. Frost’s work engages with the visual language of advertising to offer a critique of consumer culture. The use of familiar imagery creates an immediate connection with viewers, prompting us to reflect on our own roles as consumers and the subtle ways in which advertising shapes our perceptions and identities.