We recently had the chance to visit pop-surrealist painter Hisham Echafaki‘s studio. Using acrylic and oil paint, the London-based artist loves exploring symetry and patterns, as well as depicting animals in a surreal environment, as shown in his kufic and butterflies series.

We were fortunate to document some of the painting process of his Anthropomorphic Bowie pieces as he prepared for the upcoming group show The Many Faces of David Bowie at the Opera Gallery London.

Here are some of his surrealist series:

View the entire set of pics by Butterfly here

From June 21^st, Opera Gallery London will be pleased to present a collection of David Bowie-inspired art, in parallel to the Victoria and Albert Museum milestone retrospective “David Bowie Is“. The group exhibition “The many faces of David Bowie” will offer a contemporary vision of ‘Bowie Mania’ with one-off masterpieces including tributes from some of today’s leading contemporary and street artists.

Paying homage to the iconic rock star with a creative juxtaposition of styles and techniques, it will showcase each artist’s unique interpretation of David Bowie’s unprecedented influence and inspiration on their lives.

David Bowie has endorsed the exhibition on both his official Facebook page and official website.

The participating artists are: Lita Cabellut, David Mach, Joe Black, C215, The London Police, Mac1, Jimmy C, Kid Zoom, Mr. Brainwash, Kan (Da Mental Vaporz), Juan Barletta, Hisham Echafaki, Jef Aérosol, D*Face, Marco Lodola, André Monet, Nick Gentry, Zoobs, Eduardo Guelfenbein, Paul Alexis, Jean-Paul Donadini, Richard Young.

VIEW THE CATALOGUE ONLINE

 Hisham Echafaki – Anthropomorphic Bowie

 Kan – Something dotty about Bowie

 Juan Barletta – I’m a World Champion

 Jef Aerosol – David Bowie

Zoobs – Ashes to Ashes

From the 21st June, 2013
Opera Gallery London,
134 New Bond Street,
London W1S 2TF

D*Face presents New World Disorder.This exhibition, showing a new body of work, marks the end of an era at StolenSpace before they relocate to a new location.

Elements of the show are inspired by The Tillman Story,the 2010 documentary film about the 2004 death of U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman in the war in Afghanistan, the cover-up of the true circumstances of his death, and his family’s struggle to unearth the truth.

The exhibition also includes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the unique nerve centre of D*Face’s working environment by visiting his studio space, featuring old prints and sketch books.

Next door is the screenprinted studio.
      

The upstairs area display some street stencils as well as a series of new paintings and sculptures.

Full set of pics here

The New World Disorder
Until 23 June 2013
Stolenspace.com

An  abundance of vibrant colours surround the studio of French graffiti artist Gris1, from his schooldesk, post-it notes, sketchbooks, drawings and paintings. Gris1 is also an expert in model trains, where he adds his unique writing touch.
The title of one of his latest paintings sums it well: “Colors make me smile”.

More pics here

Currently on display in London Covent Garden are two multi-coloured crocheted
elephants by NYC Street artist Olek.

The  Elephant Family  – an initiative that aims to protect Asian elephants and their
habitat –  enlisted the help of a host of leading artists, designers, photographers and creatives like Christian Lacroix, Matthew Williamson, Mario Testino, Missoni,
Fabergé, Cartier to participate in their charity event named the Animal Ball at the Lancaster House.

Artists have been tasked to create a bespoke pair of masks that reflect their
interpretation of an endangered animal, as well as bespoke elephant sculptures that
will be auctioned for charity on 9 July.  In addition, each of the 24 rooms of the
Lancaster House will be transformed into a magnificent indoor jungle, including a
crochet rainforest by Olek.

View the full set of pics here

Following an installation in Spain, both artists celebrated the Streets of Spain Festival in London Southbank by creating fiberglass sculptures and completing a large colourful mural.
  

Vie the full set of pics here

Local and international street artists have been invited by The Legacy List recently to create public works along along East London canals. The  roster includes artists Mark Lyken (Scotland), Teo Moneyless (Italy),  Zezão(Brazil), Remed (Spain),  Ekta Ekta (Sweden), and Interesni Kazki (Ukraine).

Curated by Cedar Levisham, the artworks will be installed during summer 2013 and should reflect the location and history of the canals in a variety of innovative ways. Take a look at what  Zezão, Mark Lyken and Moneyless painted below and read more about The Canals Project.

After the recent murals ( covered here) Dal East continues to hit the London streets with his energetic animals.

South African artist Faith47  just landed in London, and completed this two part mural in Shoreditch.

French artist Space Invader just hit the London streets with these massive new pieces.