BLOG, CONTEMPORARY ART

Johnson Tsang’s ceramics are flying

If I tell you “ceramics”, you’d probably look at me, nod politely and forget immediately that I mentioned that word but if I told you “Johnson Tsang’s ceramics”, I’d strongly advise you to listen and more importantly to take a look at his works as it is simply fantastic and will give you a complete new and fresh look at what you can do with ceramics.

Have you ever thought that emotions, movement and speed could be transposed into some ceramic works? Probably not. Ceramics may make you think of pots or something. Well see what you can do if you have Jonhson Tsang’s talent and skills.

See more on Johson Tang’s website – http://johnsontsang.wordpress.com/

Johnson Tang | Art-Pie

Johnson Tang | Art-Pie

Johnson Tang | Art-Pie

Johnson Tang | Art-Pie

Johnson Tang | Art-Pie

STREET ART

Meet Sluggo, the character made of chalk

If you are from Michigan, we may have stumbled upon Sluggo, a rather alien looking green thing. Ann Arbor – Michigan is where Sluggo lives and chalk is what he is made of. Locals seems to have accepted him since he moved to the town back in 2008, some even say that he is some sort of celebrity now…

“He has built a reputation as a semi-subterranean creature, architecturally flexible staff and a soft spot for the flying pigs” says its creator, David Zinn.

Like Sluggo on Facebook, yes it is on Facebook.

Sluggo by Davis Zinn

CONTEMPORARY ART, REVIEWS

Dale Grimshaw at Signal gallery – Moreish

Dale Grimshaw "Moreish" at Signal gallery | Art-PieWe made our way down to one of our favorite art galleries to check out the new set of works from Dale Grimshaw that makes up his new show entitled “Moreish”. Having seen a few previous shows from the same artist, we knew that we were up for another display of strong emotions from the artist and we were right.

This time, the artist looks at the notion of “excess” that is spreading in modern societies and which seems to affect an increasing number of people. Here is what the artist had to say about it “It is a case of enough is never enough. The ‘haves’ want more and the ‘haves not’ can pay for it. Once we get that acquisitive taste, we just want more and more”

As the title of this show suggests – Moreish, the food element is everywhere in Dale Grimshaw’s pieces and they are piling on top of each other and dripping down faces of the characters the artist using in his paintings. This certainly gives a sense of a “too much” but also of a “waste” which “moreish” behaviour might lead to. The color palette used here – black/dark background in most cases combined with fiery colours, clearly translate the negative artist’s view on that notion of excess spreading in our societies according to him. A a result, the atmospere of the show is rather thick and heavy and you can almost feel its weight on your shoulders.

It is also worth pointing out the variety of characters that are depicting in Dale Grimshaw’s work, from the sweet and soft women’s faces to the rather alien looking “thing” which, apart from perhaps warning us what will happen if we embrace “excess, will add even more tension to the show.

From a more technical point of view, Dale Grimshaw’s techniques are just amazing. Oil and acrylics are the main mediums for this set of new works while canvases  and wooden boards are the main supports used here. If we had to pick a piece out of the lot and on a pure aesthetic point of view, ” The Platter” (oil on board) would be the one. The color palette is striking. See pictures below

The Platter
Dale Grimshaw "Moreish" at Signal gallery | Art-PieDale Grimshaw "Moreish" at Signal gallery | Art-Pie

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The show runs until the 23rd November 2012
Signal gallery | 32 Paul Street London EC2A 4LB | 020 7613 1550

Dale Grimshaw "Moreish" at Signal gallery | Art-PieDale Grimshaw "Moreish" at Signal gallery | Art-Pie

Dale Grimshaw "Moreish" at Signal gallery | Art-PieDale Grimshaw "Moreish" at Signal gallery | Art-Pie

CONTEMPORARY ART

Splatter series from Hua Tunan

1 Comment

Chinese Art has been pushing its way through Europe and America lately and many movements and talents are starting to emerge from it. One of this very skilled and inspiring artists is Chen Yingjie (aka: Hua Tunan) who lives in the coastal city of Foshan, China.

With a background of classical Chinese painting and illustration, Hua Tunan has diverged into a remarkable and unique street art style. His art is a perfect example where two radically different styles – Classic Chinese painting v. Western Graffiti are married to give eye watering results. Hua Tunan would use ink painting, drum rhythms and a variety of cultural symbols.

Pictures of the ‘splatter’ portraits series are shown below. Look closer and what might appear as a splash to you actually reveal a face or shapes. The color palette is another remarkable thing in Hua Tunan art. Thumbs up all round.

Hua Tunan's Splatter series

Hua Tunan's Splatter seriesHua Tunan's Splatter series

Hua Tunan's Splatter seriesHua Tunan's Splatter series

STREET ART

Otto Schade latests

Otto Schade has been busy lately.

We have included photos of all the stuff we mentioned above.

[] Collaboration with Bustart on Love Drops and with Bustart & Zaira on Hurry Up Mother Fucker (HUMF) and Night Life in Amsterdam

LOVE DROPS
Otto Schade | Art-Pie

Hurry Up Mother Fucker
Otto Schade | Art-PieOtto Schade | Art-Pie

[] He painted ‘The Confused One’ at Whitecross Street Party

THE CONFUSED ONE
otto-the-confused-one

[] Donated David v Goliath on canvas to the Gaza Toy Event at Truman Brewery to help raise funds. (photos credits to Maya Schenk). Also painted Back to Life and we absolutely adore this one.

BACK TO LIFE
Otto Schade | Art-Pie

Otto Schade | Art-Pie

Amsterdam

BLOG, OPENINGS, PREVIEW

The Art-Pie Short List of Must-See London Art Fairs

Art Fairs guide | Art-Pie

Not sure about you, but right now is a very exciting period for me. Yes, it is that time of the year when London gets very busy with a multitude of art fairs.

On one hand, you have the well established or ever growing in popularity ones such as Frieze, which has 160 of the worlds leading contemporary art galleries exhibiting. On the other hand, there are several smaller ones, yet just as exciting. They are often run by independent artists in incongruous venues but with a common factor: a great atmosphere, and creativity all around.

We have listed below what is a non exhaustive list, but hopefully a useful one…. so enjoy, and see you around!

We have listed below what is a non exhaustive list but hopefully a rather useful one so enjoy and see you around!

Frieze Art Fair

Frieze art fair | Art-Pie


WHEN – > 15th PV | > 16-18 Oct Public opening
WHERE – South of The Regent’s Park with the entrance off Park Square West. The postcode is NW1 4NR
FREE? NO

160 of the worlds leading contemporary art galleries are at that fair so needless to say that it is a biggie and that you should find something that excites your creative mind.

> Visit the Frieze website
> See the galleries list

Sunday Art Fair

Sunday Art Fair | Art-Pie

Gallery led art fair created as a platform for an intimate group of like minded emerging commercial galleries to present work by a diverse range of artists  within a relaxed environment.


WHEN – 16-18 Oct 2014
WHERE – Ambika P3, 35 Marylebone Rd, London, NW1 5LS
FREE? YES

> Visit the Sunday Art fair website

The Other Art Fair

The Other Art Fair

Artist led fair is situated in the heart of London’s cultural East End.


WHEN – 16 – 19 Oct 2014
WHERE – Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
FREE? NO

> Visit the The Other Art fair website

Moniker

Moniker Art Fair | Art-Pie

Artist project spaces combined with a commercial element. Each space is individually curated presenting a twist to the traditional art fair format.


WHEN – 16 – 19 Oct 2014
WHERE – Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
FREE? NO

> Visit the Moniker Art fair website

Multiplied

Multiplied Art Fair | Art-Pie
UK’s only art fair dedicated to contemporary prints and editions. The fair is in its The fifth instalment; returning to Christie’s, South Kensington this autumn.


WHEN – 17 – 20 Oct 2014
WHERE – Christie’s South Kensington, 85 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LD
FREE? YES

> Visit the Multiplied Art fair website

Kinetica

Kinetica | Art-Pie

Fair based on the thriving field of kinetic, electronic and new media art.


WHEN – 16 – 19 Oct 2014
WHERE – Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
FREE? NO

> Visit the Kinetica Art fair website

CONTEMPORARY ART

Noise project – Challenge #2 The Little Things

Here is our second entry for the Noise Intercepted project, a global art project curated by Labspace Studio (a creative agency & art house in Toronto, Canada). Noise Intercepted is a series of ten experience-activated noise challenges that prompt participants to listen, observe and interact with their urban soundscape in new and unlikely ways.

Noise challenge #2: The little things

“This week spend some time paying attention to the little things… the sounds that you tend to ignore and the seemingly insignificant noises that you take for granted. You have 1 week to listen, identify and select one “insignificant” sound and transform it into something “significant.”

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Water is all around us but often forgotten, we may see it but not necessarily hear it or listen to it but yet it can take all sorts of sound shapes or noises.

Here are four of them, from the subtle to the fierce…

CONTEMPORARY ART, REVIEWS

Artists pick from the 2012 London art fair – part 3

Here is the third part of our artists pick from the 2012 London art fair | Read part 1 | Read part 2

Paul Richards via Connaught Brown
Pastel on paper
Paul Richards via Connaught Brown

Paul Richards via Connaught Brown

Elfyn Lewis via Beaux Arts London
Acrylic on MDF
Elfyn Lewis via Beaux Arts London

Tanc via The French Art Studios
Spray paint and ink on canvas
Tanc via The French Art Studios

Ralph Steadman via Jealous gallery
Giclee print with debossed border on Somerset paper
Ralph Steadman via Jealous gallery

Nick Morris via Arteria
Screenprint
Nick Morris via Arteria

Nick Morris via Arteria

Anne Penmansweet via Stephanie Hoppen gallery
Oil on canvas
Anne Penmansweet via Stephanie Hoppen gallery

CONTEMPORARY ART, PRODUCT DESIGN

The House of Detention at the Clerkenwell design week

I got myself to the Clerkenwell design week, well, I work in the area so it was easy for me to walk to Clerkenwell close where the remains of the House of Detention are – a series of underground tunnels and rooms.

The place has been a museum since 1993 but for the last three days it showcases exciting contemporary talent. The nature of the space  and its spookiness (some say it is haunted) make the whole experience a success and very much enjoyable for the visitor.

You will find below pictures of what excited me at the show.

REVIEWS

Ashes57 X Lava Gallery "On the wild Side"

Lava Gallery has been cranking out quality shows on a week by week basis, this time, Co-founder and art director of the Lava Gallery Ashes57 presented her new body of work entitled “On the wild side”.

This show is simply good fun, the centre piece being a huge 3d installation featuring her trade mark line drawn city scape’s and characters like the sitting dog.  Ashes’ line drawing style has a great flow and creates allot of depth, You will discover something different in her work every time you look at it.

The show features a collection of hand drawn city scape’s, hand painted canvases and limited run prints, a good mix of work and plenty to keep your attention.

There was a great vibe and good turn out on the night, plenty of drinks were had and a few tunes grooved to courtesy of live DJ’s.

See the rest of the pics from the opening night here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chasingghosts/sets/72157626167404315/

STREET ART ENCOUNTERS