Four cities at Black Rat Press gallery

In 2007 the global population living in urban environments passed the halfway mark, and that trend is accelerating. As cities become bigger and denser, and within the rigid structures of a mass-market society, truly meaningful personal interactions become increasingly elusive. Read the full preview here.

Artists featured: Swoon, Os Gemeos, Banksy, Shepard Fairey

Where –
Black Rat Projects
When –
20th May – 23rd June 2011 (Preview – 19th May – 6-9pm)

Photos of the opening night below

Shephard Fairey

Swoon

OsGemeos

PS: “Where are the Banksy shots” you may think. Well, I thought the pieces from the three artists above were a lot more worth being photograph than his so I did not snap any but I am sure you have seem them all already anyway.

The Krah at Lava gallery

The Krah is having his first London solo show at Lava gallery

As vandalism was the most fun thing to do, The KRAH started painting the streets and the subway trains of Athens in 1997, but his graffiti and street-art can also be seen in the streets all over Europe and cities such as Tokyo and Bangkok.

After moving to East London The KRAH is still a very active street-artist and if graffiti is about underground freestyle funky visuals in illegal spots.

He has also exhibited in lots of galleries in London and internationally in gallery’s such as: Brooklynite in New York, ATM Gallery in Berlin, Art Basel at Miami Beach, in both of the Mutate Britain shows, Black rat Press, the Pure Evil Gallery and Art-Republic in London or Whinos Gallery Washington and the Vavel International Comics Festival in Athens.

Words from trackitdown.net

When – 14/4 till 21/4/11
Where – Lava gallery

Art4Peace Auction at The Ivy Club

Around 20 acclaimed urban and street artists from around the world exhibited their artwork in support of the peacebuilding charity International Alert’s #ART4PEACE campaign, at The Old Truman Brewery in London from 4-20 September 2015.

The art exhibition and sale, titled #ART4PEACE: Peace from the street up!, featured work inspired by the theme of ‘peace in our cities’. The artists, some of whom come from conflict-affected regions, refelcted on opportunities for peaceful change in an increasingly urbanised world. Graffiti, reclaimed police shields and road signs, and even rolling pins, all featured in this unique show in the run up to UN International Peace Day on the 21st of September.

We included images of the show at the end of this article.

Art4Peace | Art-Pie

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An online preview auction  opened to bidders worldwide on the 21st of September (UN International Peace Day), and the campaign will conclude with a public auction on Friday 2 October at The Club at The Ivy, in London’s West End   – get your tickets on eventbrite.

All proceeds are in aid of International Alert and its vital peacebuilding work in more than 25 countries around the world.

About International Alert

International Alert | Art-PieInternational Alert is one of the world’s leading peacebuilding organisations, with nearly 30 years of experience laying the foundations for peace in more than 25 countries (including the UK). We believe that dialogue is crucial for building peace. We bring people together to help them better understand their differences and resolve them peacefully. Find out more at www.international-alert.org

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The line-up of UK and international talent is: Ben Turnbull (UK), Clet Abraham (France), Dan Kitchener (UK), David Scheinmann (UK), David Whittaker (UK), Ganzeer (Egypt), Goldie (UK), Inkie (UK), K-Guy (UK), Know Hope (Israel), Malina Suliman (Afghanistan), Matt Small (UK), Olek (Poland), Otto Schade (Chile), Sadhu X (Nepal), Shraddha Shrestha (Nepal), Sten Lex (Italy), Tammam Azzam (Syria), Teurk (France), Victor Ash (France/Denmark), War Boutique (UK) and Yola (Poland/UK).

WHAT –
Online preview auction: 21 September – 1 October (www.talkingpeacefestival.org/art4peace)

Auction: Friday 2 October (The Club at The Ivy, 9 West Street, London WC2H 9N. Tickets. Exhibition catalogue, high-res images and information on participating artists:

Ivy Club (London) | Art-Pie

French artists at Genty Fine Art’s Christmas Show

I have always loved the saying “you learn something new everyday”; mainly because it is a saying my grandfather always drummed into me and also because I think it is a very accurate description for the ‘art world’.

“L’arbre juane” by Francoise Bossut

This was especially the case when I met David Genty. Genty Fine Art mainly work with established French contemporary artists or artists who have lived and worked in France. For me this was an area I have not really come across as most of the artists I am friendly with, interested in or collect are predominantly English or British.

In addition to the French connection Genty Fine Art showcases sculpture as well as paintings which is another area I have never really ‘got in to’. I think this is predominantly a collector issue in that I can collect works of passion (that are on paper, canvas or print) without really thinking about where they will go, whereas with sculpture I have always felt that the piece has to be carefully thought about to ensure it fitted with the home – plus its not as easy to store sculpture!

David and Helen Genty founded Genty Fine Art as Galerie Genty in Western France in 2005 and changed to the current name when they returned to the UK in 2009. Having studied Philosophy, History & Theory of art and living in France for many years David has an excellent working knowledge and friendship with the artists they represent.

Genty Fine Art’s Christmas Show was therefore a great way to see the selection of artists Genty Fine Art work with, with my two favourites being Jean-Claude Mathieu (sculpture) and Francoise Bossut (paintings). David and Helen were on-hand to provide the right mix of enthusiasm and information about the works complimented with festive mulled cider and mince pies.

Christmas Show
Christmas Show

Exhibition: 10th – 23rd December
Genty Fine Art, Tygers Head, Tonbridge, Kent

For more information visit: www.genty.co.uk
© Genty Fine Art and the Artist(s)

Under her skin at Atomica gallery

Under her skin at Atomica gallery | Art-PieI looked out of the window and the only thought that came through my mind was “bloody weather”. It was pretty nasty out there, aggressive showers and blistering winds. I was that close to get the sleepers back on but I reminded myself that ‘Under her skin ‘ is the first ever show by this newly born gallery – Atomica gallery, and this was enough to galvanise the small amount of motivation I had and turned into some sort of excitement.

A quick (and unexpected) bus journey took me down to Armhurst Terrace where Atomica gallery is located. The gallery actually sits nicely in the middle of Hackney Downs Studios, which have been in service since 2011 and which consists of events spaces and over 70 serviced studios and workspaces for creative businesses.

Atomica Gallery | Art-PieAs I stepped in, I could not help noticing the relatively small size of the gallery but also the large patio that the gallery benefits from and which was, according to Corey, the graphic designer for the gallery and the person I met that day, pretty convenient to accommodate the large amount that turned up at the opening night.

For their first show, the gallery has paired with Things&Ink magazine, a publication which reflects on tattoo culture from a feminine perspective. ‘Under Her Skin’ has been curated by Things&Ink editor Alice Snape and marks the first anniversary of the magazine and the launch of ‘The Art Issue’. The show features work from 12 female tattoo artists who have appeared in the magazine’s pages over the past year.

I will definitely go back there.

Here is our picks

“The Bare Bones” by Charissa Gregson (Jolie Rouge, London UK)
Under her skin  at Atomica gallery | Art-Pie

Cobra Girl by Vicky Morgan (Ghost House, Derby UK) (left) | “Elisabeth” by Lucy Pryor (Into You, London UK)
Under her skin  at Atomica gallery | Art-PieUnder her skin  at Atomica gallery | Art-Pie

“Medusa” by by Lucy Pryor (Into You, London UK) (left) | “Ruby” by Amy Victoria Savage (Jayne Doe, Hornchurch UK)
Under her skin  at Atomica gallery | Art-PieUnder her skin  at Atomica gallery | Art-Pie

Where – Atomica gallery – Hackney Downs Studios Amhurst Terrace E8 2BT London UK
What – ‘Under Her Skin’
When – September 12th – 30th 2013

Franz West dies at the age of 55

Franz WestThe artist Franz West has died. For those familiar with the artist or keen on sculpture, this must feel like the art world has lost one of its valuable creative thinker. The trademark of Franz West’s work was largescale bursting with colours sculptures often querky in their shapes and defintely surrealist.

West’s artwork would be made out of plaster, papier-mâché, wire, polyester, aluminium and other, ordinary materials. He had a go at paintings first but rapidly turned his interest to collages, sculptures and in particular portable sculptures called “Adaptives” or “Fitting Pieces”, environments and furniture.

It doesn’t matter what the art looks like but how it’s used” Franz West.

As a tribute, we have included picture of his most iconic sculptures. Franz West was definitely original with hus approach to sculpture and our pavements and park will be more sad now.

The Ego and the Id by Franz West | Art-Pie
The Ego and the Id by Franz West

Untitled by Franz West | Art-PieEidolon by Franz West | Art-Pie

Fiac by Franz West | Art-Pie

Smears by Franz West | Art-Pie

8-bitscapes prints now available: want one, defo.

I just love the concept and even more the outcome: a unique series of prints now available to purchase at Prescription Art

8-bitscapes is a collaboration between designer Jamie Sneddon and photographer Kevin Rozario-Johnson. The concept is simple: they use well-known classic video game characters such as pac-man or invaders and intricate them into real-life scenarios. The results is just ace. Continue reading 8-bitscapes prints now available: want one, defo.

Black Duke Art

A LATVIAN artist, who’s work can be found in a number of European locations, has been revealed as the person responsible for the two giant pirate murals that have recently appeared on an iconic landmark, on the North Wales Coastline.

The two pirate-like characters seemed to appear overnight, earlier this month, on the side of The Fun Ship, formally The Duke Of Lancaster, which has become a well-known landmark in Llanerch-y-Mor, near Mostyn. It has now been confirmed that they are the work of KIWIE, a street artist from Latvia.

The artwork appears to be orchestrated by a group calling themselves Dudug, who have set up a website reporting on the works. Shortly after the murals appeared on the 17th August, a You Tube video was posted on their site.

The video depicts the work being done illegally at night; however a new video has since been added to the website, revealing the original version to be a spoof. The intricate artworks did in fact take a number of days to complete, and was done under the watchful supervision of site security, which remains 24 x 7 at The Duke.

The painted characters, also known by the term KIWIES, are each 9 metres in height making them the biggest works ever created by the artist. They also include some key details about the Duke’s history in their design – with the year the ship was built (1956) on the blue pirate’s ear, and the year the ship was docked in Llanerch-y-Mor (10th Aug 1979) on its stomach.

Members of the Duke of Lancaster Appreciation Society (DOLAS) have been so far unable to shed any light on the appearance of the artwork but it appears none of them had any idea the cruise liner was going to be targeted by the street artist. It can also be confirmed that DOLAS and DUDUG operate completely separate from one another.

BLACK DUKE from KIWIE on Vimeo.

www.dudug.co.uk

www.dukeoflancaster.net

www.kiwie.com

STREET ART ENCOUNTERS