If you ask folks what defines a "hero," you may get everything from a resounding choir of empowered adjectives to descriptions of caped crusaders saving Gotham, one crying child at a time. But if you ask Italian artist Laura Scottini, who goes by the moniker Laurina Paperina, you'll get gut-busting interpretations of pop culture’s most influential figures being bludgeoned, eaten, stabbed, or suffocated. Sounds...fun?
The artist's sardonic cultural commentary elicits more than just a good giggle about the modern zeitgeist—it serves as a reminder that celebrity doesn't exist on some higher, untouchable plane. Take the cartoon-like pieces in Paperina’s upcoming solo show Proud To Be A Hero, hosted at San Francisco gallery Fouladi Projects (which recently hosted HBO Girls actress and sometimes-painter, Jemima Kirke). Opening tomorrow evening, the show is a playful intersection between paying homage and poking fun. “The world is bad enough to make sad art,” Paperina explained to Opening Ceremony. “I want to have fun and make people smile—even entertain them.” And, entertain she does, as we see a nude Miley Cyrus’ imminent death on a blood-drenched ball and chain (giving a very literal meaning to her hit "Wrecking Ball") or a Takashi Murakami beheaded by his own floral creations.
Morbid? Nah, it’s just the artist's approach to tapping both ends of the spectrum, “Everybody could be a hero but at the same time everybody could be a villain.” Take a look through the slideshow for a sneak preview and the artist's quotes.
Proud To Be A Hero runs September 5 through October 18
Fouladi Projects
1803 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
MAP![]()
"I've created artwork that presents an ironic commentary in response to current events related to the art, music, and film world." —Laurina Paperina. Pharrell Williams, 12"x12", mixed media on paper. All photos courtesy of Fouladi Projects
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"Usually, the victims of my works are contemporary heroes that are famous, rich, and cool artists and celebrities. So, it's like saying, 'I love you, but I'll kill you.'" Takashi Murakami, 12" x 12", mixed media on paper
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"'Proud to be a hero' is an ironic phrase. With this exhibition, I'd like to show the human side of contemporary heroes." Miley Cyrus, 12"x12", mixed media on paper ![]()
"I find inspiration from when I hear music, talk with people, watch television, play video games- as well as from real life, food, magazines, films, music, duck males, the internet, pizz
The artist's sardonic cultural commentary elicits more than just a good giggle about the modern zeitgeist—it serves as a reminder that celebrity doesn't exist on some higher, untouchable plane. Take the cartoon-like pieces in Paperina’s upcoming solo show Proud To Be A Hero, hosted at San Francisco gallery Fouladi Projects (which recently hosted HBO Girls actress and sometimes-painter, Jemima Kirke). Opening tomorrow evening, the show is a playful intersection between paying homage and poking fun. “The world is bad enough to make sad art,” Paperina explained to Opening Ceremony. “I want to have fun and make people smile—even entertain them.” And, entertain she does, as we see a nude Miley Cyrus’ imminent death on a blood-drenched ball and chain (giving a very literal meaning to her hit "Wrecking Ball") or a Takashi Murakami beheaded by his own floral creations.
Morbid? Nah, it’s just the artist's approach to tapping both ends of the spectrum, “Everybody could be a hero but at the same time everybody could be a villain.” Take a look through the slideshow for a sneak preview and the artist's quotes.
Proud To Be A Hero runs September 5 through October 18
Fouladi Projects
1803 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
MAP
"I've created artwork that presents an ironic commentary in response to current events related to the art, music, and film world." —Laurina Paperina. Pharrell Williams, 12"x12", mixed media on paper. All photos courtesy of Fouladi Projects
"Usually, the victims of my works are contemporary heroes that are famous, rich, and cool artists and celebrities. So, it's like saying, 'I love you, but I'll kill you.'" Takashi Murakami, 12" x 12", mixed media on paper 
"'Proud to be a hero' is an ironic phrase. With this exhibition, I'd like to show the human side of contemporary heroes." Miley Cyrus, 12"x12", mixed media on paper 
"I find inspiration from when I hear music, talk with people, watch television, play video games- as well as from real life, food, magazines, films, music, duck males, the internet, pizz