Beach Blanket Bingo is the summer group show at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York. Some of the artists I’m looking forward to seeing work from are AJ Fosik, Onesto, Anthony Lister, Ron English, Elbowtoe and Dan Witz. In fact, here is one of Elbowtoe’s pieces, which I absolutely love. I think it might be a bit London inspired.
Just a quick note to show off one of Vhils’ pieces for FAME Fest. There is something quite ethereal about this work, which was made by scratching the plaster off a wall in the old part of Grottaglie. Great placement for it, too.
Vhils is also working on some gallery pieces while he’s in town for the exhibition at the festival’s conclusion.
Elisa x
TIME Magazine recently put out this piece about the “Top 10 guerrilla artists.”
Their choices (unranked, I would assume):
1. The Barrel Monster Guy – I for one am amazed how much publicity this guy got. Roadsworth is way cooler.
2. Basquiat – Don’t think anybody is going to argue this one
3. Mark Jenkins – Another choice who makes unexpected sculptural interventions. Way underrated.
4. Blek le Rat – Important, innovative, and cool, but certainly not the best.
5. SendAMessage.nl – These guys will spraypaint your note on the wall in Israel for $40. Wouldn’t really call them artists unless that only pays for materials.
6. Iz The Wiz – A legend. Somebody whose work should be better known. Just not the greatest graffiti writer of all time.
7. Banksy – The list couldn’t be complete without him.
8. Shepard Fairey – See my opinion on Banksy.
9. Simon Rhodia – This guy sounds awesome. He built a bunch of giant sculptures in his back yard, some over 100 feet tall.
10. Graffiti Research Lab – The geek community loves them (and I count myself among the geek community, I do write a blog after all), the press loves them, but GRL doesn’t seem to get the respect they deserve among graffiti and street artist fans.
Don’t know how I haven’t mentioned this yet, but Os Gêmeos have started blogging on 12oz Prophet. My favorite thing they’ve posted so far is this classic piece:
I was a little late to do some work for the exhibit, but I got to paint a room at the wonderful Critica Urbana festival when I returned from Madrid. The building that the exhibit is currently being held is a remarkably inspiring squat that has been functioning as a cultural center, bar, workshop and living space. The curators and organizers of the show had one room that had no installations so I decided that I would try to do something in the small bathroom.
Since I had a flight in the morning the next day I started painting at around 10pm and was able to finish at around 7am in time to take a shower and meet up with my dad to visit the Prada museum before going to the airport. The installation that I painted decided itself as the work proceeded in an improvisational fashion since I really didn’t know what I was going to do with the space.
The piece ended up being a warped version of the bear image that I have been working with as of late. It wrapped around three walls, the ceiling and the floor and emanated from a small seat in the opposite corner of the room facing the viewer. The image was abstracted until one sat in the corner and received the proper perspective. A drawing above the sink with the knife and pencil inside its basin, provided a reference of the image when entering the room.
the room prior to the installation
The final product from the seat in the corner of the room.
Thank you to the wonderfully kind and generous people at Critica Urbana. I’m so appreciative of their being down for the last minute arrangements. It was pretty down and dirty
– Gaia
Recently some new wheatpastes have been popping up around London by somebody called Walala. A quick flickr search reveals the artist is fashion designer Camille Walala. Here are a few shots of Walala’s work:
Photos from Camille Walala’s flickr
The latest Banksy print is available soon at Pictures on Walls. “Donuts” comes in two colorways (black or pink), with editions of 299 in each colorway. Of course, if this were any other Banksy print release, there would be no point in writing to post because by the time I had finished typing, the print would be sold out. This time, Banksy has taken the Faile approach and made a lottery system where anybody who registers before noon on July 28th will have an equal shot at buying this print.
You can register at Picturesonwalls.com.
Two gallery shows to mention today.
First, a show that surpised me. Last time Jaybo had a solo show in London, it wasn’t for me. Naturally, I didn’t rush to see Jaybo’s new paintings at Signal Gallery. Earlier this week, I made it over and I have to say I liked this new work much more.
Still not something I’m super pumped about, but at least I enjoyed stopping by, and there were one or two portraits of girls (like the one above) that I could see on my walls at home.
And the second gallery I need to mention is one that I’m very curious and excited about. As Black Rat Press closes up shop for the summer and the Matt Small paintings come down from the walls, you will still be able to find work from Matt and fellow BRP artist Luc Price over in New York City at Glowlab. July 30th is the opening of X: The Multiples Exhibition at Glowlab. Here’s the PR on that show:
Glowlab is pleased to present the group show X: The Multiples Exhibition, bringing together thirteen artists producing works linked via their mode of production. The artists included have published, screen-printed, photographed, performed and sculpted pieces that are identical either in manufacture or concept. The show’s title refers not only to the mathematical function of multiplication, but also to the crossing of aesthetic, commercial and conceptual boundaries when art is made in multiples.
So basically, Matt and Luc are showing screenprints. Matt’s prints are always as lovely as his paintings, which is exciting, and I have no idea what Luc is going to do, as his recent gallery work has been so different from his street work as Cyclops, and he has never done a print (to my knowledge) under his real name before. Looking forward to the pictures.
FAME Festival is shaping up to be pretty cool. Here’s some of the latest work from Sam3 and Mark Jenkins.
Via Arrested Motion
This is pretty exciting. According to nola.com, there is an original Banksy piece on display at the New Orleans Museum of Art. The piece is a canvas with the Nola girl image and pink rain.
