In Pepe Volume II, Luca Boni pushes his exploration of the Pepe icon even further, fusing it with the myriad faces of internet meme culture. By juxtaposing Pepe with characters and motifs that have achieved viral recognition, Boni constructs a visual dialogue that is both celebratory and critical, examining how digital culture continuously reframes archetypal imagery.

Boni’s painterly approach once again elevates the meme from its native digital habitat to the realm of high art. Yet, this time, the artist broadens his scope, embracing not only Pepe’s own symbolic weight but also the eclectic cast of internet-born figures that populate the contemporary imagination. The resulting works are both vibrant and introspective, playful yet layered with cultural commentary.

In merging Pepe with these viral figures, Boni highlights the shared mechanisms through which internet culture ascribes meaning and significance. His paintings interrogate the transience of memes while also granting them a kind of permanence—solidifying their status within a broader artistic tradition.

This new collection also underscores the collaborative nature of meme culture. By capturing these digital icons through the meticulous process of painting, Boni underscores their participatory essence, acknowledging the countless creators and audiences who contribute to their evolution.

Ultimately, Pepe Volume II continues Boni’s dialogue on the fluidity of cultural symbols, now further enriched by the interplay of Pepe and his meme contemporaries. The collection stands as both homage and critique, a reflection of the boundless creativity and complexity inherent in digital expression.