Crush

Ok — forgive me as we go off-piste for a moment.

Let me ask you a question:

How many elephants can you fit in a Mini?

You know the answer. Two in the front, two in the back. Riddle solved.

Except… not here.

In ‘Crush’, that familiar childhood joke is flipped on its head. One enormous elephant sits smugly atop a pancaked, light-blue vintage Mini, its full weight calmly, unapologetically applied. The car lies defeated beneath it, grill twisted, bodywork flattened, number plate - CRU 541T - knocked loose on the ground like a punchline delivered with perfect timing.

The title felt inevitable.

And then there’s the giraffe.

For those who know the riddle well, the follow-up question is always:

How many giraffes can you fit in a Mini?

The answer, of course, is none - it’s full of elephants.

Here, with the Mini very much out of commission, the giraffe takes its cue and exits stage right. Only its hindquarters remain, walking away with as much dignity as possible, a silent protest rendered in paint. It’s a small detail - but one that completes the joke and deepens the narrative for those who spot it.

Surrealism as the perfect language for absurdity

The style is unapologetically surrealist - deliberately Daliesque - and proudly so. Surrealism felt like the only honest language for this idea: where logic bends, scale lies, and humour carries meaning. The elephant’s calm expression, the impossibility of the scene, the theatrical placement of each element - all work together to suspend disbelief and invite the viewer into the joke.

The setting plays its part too. A warm, sun-baked desert stretches behind the scene - ochres, yellows, and burnt oranges glowing beneath a vast blue sky. It’s a stage rather than a location, timeless and uncluttered, allowing the characters to perform. The contrast between heat and cool, stillness and collapse, serenity and chaos heightens the sense of visual theatre.

Every texture is considered: the damaged paintwork of the Mini, the leathery folds of the elephant’s skin, the smooth gradient of sky. This is whimsy, yes - but it’s crafted whimsy.

Living with ‘Crush’

On the wall, ‘Crush’ becomes an instant conversation starter. It doesn’t whisper - it grins. The longer you live with it, the more it reveals: the quiet confidence of the elephant, the sly humour of the number plate, the giraffe’s perfectly timed exit.

Collectors often find that pieces like this shift the emotional temperature of a room. There’s lightness here. Playfulness. A reminder not to take everything - especially ourselves - too seriously. It brings warmth, curiosity, and story into a space, rewarding both casual glances and closer inspection.

It’s art that invites laughter first… and affection soon after.

The Presence of Scale

At 170 × 190 cm, ‘Crush’ is deliberately larger than life - a scale chosen to echo the absurdity at its heart. This is a painting you don’t simply hang; it claims space. The elephant’s weight feels real because the canvas allows it to be, turning a visual joke into a physical presence that can be felt across the room.

From a distance, the sheer size stops you in your tracks; up close, it reveals layers of detail and texture that reward slow looking. It’s this combination of humour, craftsmanship, and commanding scale that transforms ‘Crush’ from an image into an experience.

“One elephant, one Mini, one surreal scene.”

Dimensions:  170 x 190 cm. (67 x 75 in.)

⭐ Free Shipping (to Mainland UK)

⭐ Delivery 7-10 working days from order date

⭐ No need for frame - design carries on around the side of the artwork

⭐ Ready to hang - all ironwork included (if ‘Stretcher’ option chosen)

⭐ Certification of Authenticity included

⭐ 30-Day no quibble, money back guarantee

See it on your wall!… not sure if a painting is the right fit?

I’ll create a custom render of the artwork in your own space so you can see the scale, colours, and atmosphere before you decide. 👉 Click here for more details

All other destinations please email me for quote.

I know choosing an artwork of this scale is a considered purchase. If you’d like to talk it through with me, I’d be delighted to arrange a Zoom call and answer any questions you may have."

Just click the link… 👉‘Book a Zoom call with Paul’

Your purchase options…

Rolled in a tube: Your artwork will be carefully rolled, wrapped with the appropriate protective material, in a cylindrical tube, off the stretchers. This option is often preferred as the buyer can then choose their own frame to suit their home décor.

On Stretcher Bars: As this artwork is so large, to make sure it’s delivered to you in perfect condition and as a big ‘thank you’ from me, I will personally deliver this artwork to you (Mainland UK only).