Giclee print on 310gsm Hahnemühle paper..
Print size: 42cm x 59.4 cm (A2)
Edition size: 10
All posts by Pierrick Senelaer
Stygian Self
Giclee print on Hahnemuhle German Etching paper 310gsm
“Fallout”, a show by Phil Ashcroft at Canal
CANAL is pleased to present its show for the summer, an exhibition by Phil Ashcroft, mixing live painting, large scale canvases and screenprints.
Ashcroft will create a new large format painting in the gallery over the course of the exhibition, bringing his studio process directly into CANAL, as well as presenting a new lightbox work inspired by the gallery’s location on the Regent’s Canal at Haggerston, east London.
Ashcroft’s works are influenced by 1980s graffiti, comics, street art and graphics. His paintings are rendered in a bold, graphic style, combining loose, gradient brushwork utilising a limited palette.
Post-apocalyptic, overtly heroic landscapes reference sources as diverse as Japanese Ukiyo-e art, American pop art, Abstract Expressionism, graffiti and Marvel comics. The works draw on the myths of failed civilizations.
Ashcroft also collaborates on live-painting projects in galleries and alternative spaces from street locations to shops. These have included No Soul for Sale , Tate Modern, London (2010); Cans 2 Festival , London (2008); Special Relationship , Scion Space, Los Angeles (2008), Elephant Technique , Village Underground (2006), All The People We Like Are Dead , London (2004), and Graffiti Meets Windows 1 , Hank-Yu Department Store, Osaka (2002).
His first monograph, Solar System Parameters , with forward by Paul Hobson, was published by Gamma Proforma in 2013.
Works are held in public and private collections worldwide. Commissions include projects for Aedas Architects, Amnesty International (UK), British Film Institute (Godzilla film poster/dvd cover), Levis, muf architecture, Nike Town, Royal Mail, Sony PSP and Yahoo (UK).
Live painting every Thursday in June 11am-4pm
Banksy’s new work on a wall of a Bristolian school
A large number of people always get quite to very excited when a new Banksy work is discovered and we must admit, we were one of these this time round when we read this morning about this new work somewhere near Bristol… Keep reading on.
A contest amongst pupils at the origin of all this
Bridge Farm Primary School in Bristol, where Banksy dropped his latest piece, organised a little while ago, a contest amongst the pupils in the aim to name houses at the school after famous people and Banksy was one of the names that came up the most and which was therefore chosen. The other names were Brunel, Blackbeard and Cabot.
Geoff Mason, the head teacher wrote to Banksy’s team before they broke up for the half-term to let him know they had named a house after him…
Surprise when kids got back to school this morning
Children, staff and parents from the school in Whitchurch were surprised by the artwork this morning we hear as no one expected Banksy to produce some street art right in the courtyard!
The painting was done over the weekend, when Banksy was supposedly going to collect an award elsewhere namely the Sky Arts Awar.
Although Banksy rarely signs his work, a spokesman for him confirmed this morning it was indeed the elusive artist’s work. It is thought to be the first verified artwork from Banksy in a primary school.
Even more surprised to get a letter back from Banksy
Here is what Geoff Mason, headteacher at the school, said the school had received a letter from the artist himself.
“I think it went up over the weekend, and completed last night, but we’re not entirely sure.
“It was done after we ran a competition to change the house names, and we decided to name them after Bristol legends. We had to include Banksy.
We thought it would be a good idea to write to the PR company and let them know we’ve run the competition.
“I’m sure this is Banksy’s work. We had a call from his PR team, and a letter signed by him.”
The letter reads:
“Dear Bridge Farm School, thanks for your letter and naming a house after me.
“Please have a picture, and if you don’t like it, feel free to add stuff.
“I’m sure the teachers won’t mind. Remember, it’s always easier to get forgiveness than permission.
“Much love, Banksy.”
Remi Rough mural for Morgan Furniture
We have been a big fan of Remi Rough‘s works and have been following him for a few years. Yet, he manages to keep his artistic output fresh and keeps surprising us every day.
I would mention for the records, this very similar project we covered back in 2011, the Havana Wall Project at Rich Mix, our beloved East London based culture center.
The artist has become a master at curves, lines and perspective and this installation surely demonstrates just this.
Why such a commission for Morgan Furniture?
We gathered this statement from their website: “This is part of our exploration in to art relaxation and the benefits of colour in the workplace.”
After reading this and looking again at the piece, we can say that Remi Rough did meet the brief in a superb way. The giant curve will definitely set your mind to some untroubled mode, the colours will tempt you for a dive while the black and broken ribbon will draw you further.
A word from the artist
“I shall be transforming the two interior walls of Morgan Furniture’s Clerkenwell showroom into a huge painted installation. The two works, although separate will have a continuation and format that allows them to be viewed as one piece.”
– Remi Rough
Remi Rough exploration of shapes and colours is not something new, we again gathered from the Morgan Furniture site that he has been doing so for roughly 25 years now and that it all started a can in the hand back in 84 very late at night somewhere in South London.
Trains and walls were his targets by then. They still are, well at least walls as far as we know but more and more of his works can be seen in art galleries and commissions, sometimes commercial, keep coming his way we hear (Remi Rough will tell us if the above is not accurate).
From streets to showrooms
is how Morgan Furniture starts his blog post and we believe this got past the artist which seems to be okay with this statement and we are very happy to hear that (again, we hope this is the case – we’ll talk to Remi rough soon about so watch this space).
I wanted to highlight this point as too many so-called “street artists” this day hate this association with such organisations, campaigns or galleries as this makes them less “street” apparently. But Remi Rough does not seem to mind and we welcome this.
We could write pages about that but let’s leave it for now and just say that it is the choice of the artists to get involved or not and if they get involved, it does not take much to make sure to keep any integrity these artists may cherish.
Last but not least, these souls would bounce of joy to be featured on such (wicked) sites like ours even if they cannot admit it. Remember, if your work is awesome, get out there and be seen!
You may tell us your views on this in the Comments section below
A video which shows you how it is done
Make sure to watch the short video below which gives you an insight about the technicality and techniques it took to produce such a work. Great footage.