Luis Gispert is exhibiting in Australia for the first time this coming May with his latest works titled Decepćion. Gispert first caused a stir in the art world with a series of images showcasing an interesting mash-up preppy cheerleader and underground hip hop. Hip hop and gangster themes have been prominent within Gispert’s work, and this exhibition is no exception.

This most recent series of images is the result of a two year jaunt around America in search of customized car interiors. And we’re not talking ‘Pimp My Ride’, we’re talking high fashion luxury interiors.

The images put the audience in the vehicle itself, looking out through the windscreen at striking landscapes, sunsets and night skies. There is a stark contrast between the unavoidable bright, bold and excessive luxury labeling, and the seemingly untouched and beautifully natural landscape that can be seen out the window.

Gispert explains that these luxury interiors are all created with faux product, and often a lot more money is spent on the interior than the car itself. For example a car that only cost $10,000 to buy, may be sporting $15,000-$20,000 worth of faux Chanel interior.

This subculture that Gispert delved into raised many questions about the relationship between high end fashion brands and differing levels of social status. The series of images in Decepćion also highlights the use of luxury label logos for their aesthetic as opposed to their cultural significance. Gispert says of his experience, “I can’t really wrap my head around the meanings of what’s going on here. I ended up coming home with a lot of questions and not a lot of answers.”

Opening on May 15^th2012, Decepćion is a must, and you’ve got a whole month to fit it into your busy lives (it ends June 16^th)! To check it out, head down to fabulous McLemoi Gallery at 45 Chippendale St, Chippendale. See you there!