Matt Small Solo @ BRP

Finally made my way down to Black Rat Press today for Matt Small’s show “Youngstarrs”. Really fantastic stuff. Here’s photos of some of my favorite pieces thanks to WallKandy (more from this show on flickr):

Matt Small

Car Hoods

Sculpture

I really loved this show, and everybody who can should try to see it. In a few years time, when Matt Small is a huge name in art, you will be kicking yourself if you miss this show. It has a variety of work which showcase Matt’s different styles, but it still feels like one body of work with a unified message.

Photos by Ian Cox/WallKandy

Recession-Inspired Street Art

How I haven’t done this post yet I don’t know.

Street art is a chance for the average Joe to voice their opinions and concerns and to connect with the rest of the public. Often, that means artists put out work that is subversive or anti-corporate. For these reasons, it is only natural that the recession makes it way into street art. So here’s some of the best recession-themed street art I’ve found. Add your favorites in the comment section.

K-Guy's "Bank of Sonia and Mike"
K-Guy's "Bank of Sonia and Mike"
Icon Propaganda's "Where's My Bailout?"
Icon Propaganda's "Where's My Bailout?" photo by shoehorn99
Above's "What Goes Up Must Come Down"
Above's "What Goes Up Must Come Down"

More recession themed street art after the jump… Continue reading “Recession-Inspired Street Art”

Introducing… Ripo

I found Ripo through Roa, as the two have done some pieces together. Ripo is just one of those artists who can make me smile with slogans like “Steal This Space?” painted over a billboard or “Misunderstood” next to some graffiti. His use of simple designs and classic “storefront sign” fonts reminds me of ESPO and Above (whom he has collaborated with in the past). Anyways, I’m not so great at explaining exactly what makes work great, so just have a look.

Roa (left) and Ripo (right)
Roa (left) and Ripo (right)

Ripo Stairs

Ripo’s very first solo show, “is what I meant to say…”, is opening in Brussels on March 27th at the Mr. Ego space. Check out the flyer:

Is What I Meant To Say

Check out more of Ripo’s work after the jump… Continue reading “Introducing… Ripo”

The Krah and Cyclops in Thailand

The Krah

The Krah was recently in Thailand, so if you’re in the area, be on the lookout for some new street art there. Also there was Cyclops, and they collaborated on the piece in the photo below. Check out more of the trip at behance.net

The Krah and Cyclops
The Krah and Cyclops

Also, this Thursday is the opening of BAZAART, a group show in London with artists like The Krah, Pure Evil, Snub, and many others. More info at Snub’s website.

The Crateman Crateball

The Crateman Crew has an account of their most recent project over at the CitySPK blog. The Cratemen are known in Australia for their use of milk crates to build giant men and place them in public spaces.

Crateman

This most recent project was a big different however. They build a giant rolling ball out of milk crates:

Crate Ball

Here’s the story behind the above photo:

“The Adelaide Fringe Festival commissioned us to design a float for their opening night parade, based on some of the work we have been doing with milk crates, and in particular the idea of ‘crateman’.

We were reluctant however to simply relocate our street based work into a radically different arena. Instead we were interested in the idea of a parade as being a cross between performance art, sculpture, and audience participation.

The crate sphere was designed to be rolled down the street as the final act in the parade. Comprising of 688 milk crates and being over 4.5 meters high, it had an estimated weight of over 700 kilograms. It was hoped that upon seeing us struggle with the beast, members of the audience would join in, and help us roll the sphere to a glorious end!

Unfortunately the reality was somewhat different.

People in their curiosity came closer and closer to the ball – but were reluctant to get involved and help, or move out of its way when it threatened to crush them. Our cries of distress were misinterpreted as part of the ‘theatre’ of the situation, as we struggled to maintain control. After completing about a quarter of the parade route, the organizers and the police decided to pull the plug, and ordered us to stop the ball.

It was rolled to the side of the street, and left to sit in a ‘no parking’ zone. Here it sat for a day or so, puzzling passers by, a strange visitor to the quaint streets of Adelaide.”

Via CitySPK blog

The Graffiti Box

Clever. The question is, did the owner do this, or is the box itself meant to be art as well. Oh who cares just check out this picture:

Photo by Greg Long of gama-go.com
Photo by Greg Long of gama-go.com

The text reads:

All are welcome to express themselves in the box below.

and

Painting within the above box is hereby expressly permitted and shall not be considered “graffiti” in accordance with article #23 of the San Francisco Municipal Code

Via Public Ad Campaign via Boing Boing