Imbue (1988) - Always the Real Thing (Fade)

"Always the Real Thing (Fade)" is a famous resin sculpture by the British artist Imbue, internationally known as the "Banksy of Brighton".

The work fuses the silhouette of the Virgin Mary with Coca-Cola's iconic glass bottle, gradually shifting from a dark cola-toned resin to transparent.

The meaning of the work:
Imbue's piece focuses on satirical provocation and reinterpretation of symbols from mass culture.

Specifically, "Always the Real Thing" delves into three key themes:

- Consumerism as religion:
The piece suggests that big brands have replaced spiritual faith.
The devotion once reserved for religious figures has shifted toward logos and commercial products.

- The concept of the "Icon":
The title echoes Coca-Cola's famous advertising slogan "Always the Real Thing."
The artist plays on the double meaning of "authenticity," juxtaposing ancient sacred iconography with the perfect commercial idol of modern capitalism.

The Fade:
This color variant uses a visual transition (a gradient from clear to dark). It represents the progressive contamination or fusion between the sacred and the profane, where the boundaries between spirituality and consumerism become fluid.

Technical features
Material:
Transparent poured resin with gradient pigmentation.

Each original piece is part of limited editions and is distributed in customized, autographed boxes signed by the artist.