The passing of Gene Wilder is so tragic because Wilder uniquely captured the imaginations of his audience through varied and colorful roles that made us wonder how the hell he did it. His characters diverse, but perhaps none is more famous than his stint as Willy Wonka in the 1971 film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, a movie that feels as exciting and fresh today as it did 45 years ago.
Because of his excellent in the role, Wilder had, in some ways, become a man who was defined by candy, so there is perhaps no better way to memorialize the fallen star than with a portrait of him as Wonka that’s made entirely out of candy. That’s what artist Jason Mecier has done, and even though he created the portrait in July, it has a newfound relevance in light of the tragic death. It currently on display at San Francisco art gallery The Castro if you’re around and would like to check it out in person.
A photo posted by Jason Mecier (@jasonmecier) on
Mecier is renowned for his candy-based artwork: He’s made portraits of Adele, the cast of Orange is the New Black, Robin Williams, and others. He was also commissioned for an official Skittles print advertisement, which appeared in a recent issue of OK Magazine.
Find more of Mecier’s art on his Facebook and Instagram pages, and for more on Wilder, read our thoughts on how deeply the humanity of the actor has moved us.
Featured image: Jason Mecier
