Inspiration

A Playful Re-imagining of KFC Ads

Lisa Maltby reimagines a KFC ad in Vienna with a witty nod to classical painting.

Creative Gaga, Lisa Maltby

There’s something powerful about re-seeing everyday things through a fresh lens - Lisa Maltby’s latest self-initiated project, KFC St Stephen’s Cathedral Advertisement, does just that. On a recent visit to Vienna, she spotted an ad by KFC plastered against the gothic grandeur of St Stephen’s Cathedral and had one of those creative lightbulb moments: what if the ad reflected the richness of its surroundings rather than looking out of place?

Inspired by The Circle of Life by Viennese painter Hans Canon - especially the ornate, storytelling quality of its traditional figures - Lisa created a reinterpretation of that KFC ad. In her version, regal classical figures are gathered in a renaissance-style tableau, but with a twist: they’re eating KFC chicken nuggets. The juxtaposition is cheeky, warm, and totally delightful, lending humour and humanity to a space that felt visually disconnected.

What makes this special goes beyond mere novelty. It involves utilising the existing culture and environment - the architectural grandeur, history, and aesthetic significance - to foster engagement. Lisa isn’t simply creating beautiful art; she’s encouraging double takes, smiles, and reflections on what “advertising” can be when it respects its context.

Original KFC advert: "Kein Fake Chicken" (No fake chicken) and "original nuggets" on the side of the St Stephen’s Cathedral.
Inspiration: Hans Canon was an Austrian painter known for his work, Circle of Life, which is located on the ceiling of the Natural History Museum in Vienna.

Reimagining Flex Waste as Functional Design

Bridge House in Karjat Reimagines Living as a Passage Through Nature

Weaving Culture and Context into Every Space!

Evolving a Legacy Without Losing Its Trust!

The Key Elements of Storytelling Illustrations!

SCROLL FOR NEXT