Until 24th March 2016, Lazarides is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a group exhibition ‘Still Here – A Decade of Lazarides’.
For the landmark exhibition, celebrated and pioneering artists who have helped shape the gallery are taking over the Rathbone space in London over three floors.
Featuring 3D, Aiko, Anthony Lister, Antony Micallef, Banksy, Brett Amory, Chloe Early, David Choe, Doug Foster, Faile, Frank Laws, Gary Taxali, Herbert Baglione, Hush, Ian Francis, Invader, Joe Rush, Jonathan Yeo, JR, Karim Zeriahen, Katrin Fridriks, Know Hope / Addam Y, Lucy McLauchlan, Marcus Jansen, Mark Jenkins, Miaz Brothers, Mode 2, Nina Pandolfo, Oliver Jeffers, Pete Hawkins, Ron English, Sage Vaughn, Scott Campbell, Sickboy, Stanley Donwood, TEACH, Todd James / REAS, Vhils, Xenz, Zevs
Following the recent opening of the all female Group show ‘Champagne Life’ (covered here) Saatchi Gallery also launched an exhibition called ‘XX: A MOMENT IN TIME‘.
Curated by Olly Walker and supported by Yasha Young, the show features new works by contemporary female street & graffiti artists from around the globe.
The artists participating in the exhibition include Aiko (Japan/USA), Alice Pasquini (Italy), Caratoes (Belgium/Hong Kong), Crajes (Spain), Elle (USA), Faith 47 (South Africa), Handiedan (Netherlands), Hera (Germany), Hueman (USA), Lora Zombie (Russia), Madamoiselle Maurice (France), Marina Zumi (Argentina), Martha Cooper (USA), Mimi S (Germany), Miss Van (France), Olek (Poland), Sandra Chevrier (Canada), Vexta (Australia) and Zabou (France).
“My dream, when I can settle down somewhere, is to have a large workshop” –Joan Miró, 1938
60 years since Joan Miró’s studio was founded in Mallorca in 1956, the workshop has been reconstructed in London as an intensely immersive piece: an incredibly detailed work that mirrors the poetic environment of this leading avant-garde artist’s atelier. Featuring 25 of Miró’s paintings and drawings as well as copied everyday ephemera objects; the space has been rearranged as both installation and exhibition.
This studio was the first long-term residence for Miró , having lived in locations across Europe throughout his life and often travelling between two homes in Paris and Spain for example. Once established in Mallorca in 1956, the artist remained here, working here relentlessly until his death in 1983.
Initially designed by the artist’s friend and renowned Catalan architect, Josep Lluís Sert worked on it from New York by sending Miró a series of letters which are also included within the show; giving some insights into the development of the studio, but also into the great artist’s preferences, relationships and voice.
‘Synergy’ is an artistic and social encounter between French street artist Jef Aérosol and British photographer Lee Jeffries.
Stemming from the original ‘Synergy’ exhibition that took place in Paris at Mathgoth gallery in March 2015, this collaboration casts a new light on a sensitive topic: the homeless.
The models in Lee Jeffries’photographs are homeless people that he has met in Europe and in the United States: «Situations arose, and I made an effort to learn to get to know each of the subjects before asking their permission to do their portrait.» From then onwards, his photographs portray his convictions and his compassion to the world.
The artistic chemistry was sparked when Jef Aerosol and Lee Jeffries first met in London, early 2014. They both felt the urge to explore and share with the public their vision of this universal issue. Together, they explore faces and confront techniques to give another life to the forgotten of the streets.
10% of the sales will be donated to the Connection, a homelessness charity in Central London.
As mentionned earlier (see here) Banksy created a new artwork in London on Saturday night. As usual location is key and the new stencil appeared on the corner of a very busy road of Knightsbridge, surrounded by lots of CCTV but most importantly opposite the French Embassy under the watchful eyes of security guards.
The mural is a re appropriation of the iconic image of Cosette for Les Miserables, the little girl depicted in the historical novel of Victor Hugo during the French Revolution, whose mum left to another family hoping she would get a better life.
The French flag, used as symbol of Freedom during the French revolution but also for Les Droits de L’homme (Human rights) is torn apart. Grey tears are rolling down the girl’s face, provoked by a cloud of teargas from the CS cannister laying on the floor.
The mural is a continuation of Banksy’s engagement in raising awareness about the migrant situation in Europe, and specially in Calais. It’s a direct comment on the recent actions by French authorities to destroy part of the Jungle and evict around 1,500 refugees using teargas.
France is the ‘Pays des Droits de l’Homme’, country of Human Rights, but looking closer at the living conditions in the “Jungle” camp of Calais, it is a total disgrace.
The mural also features an interactive piece, a QR code that directs you to a video showing the use of CS gas by French Police towards the migrants.
As soon as the mural was confirmed on Banksy’s website, a few attempted to steal the artwork overnight, but it only resulted in some visible damages.
While builders were having a meeting on how to protect / remove the piece, more media and fans arrived at the scene.
It was not long before builders tried to remove it, and failed miserably, noticing it was glued to another board (video).
It was subsequently covered and watched over by a security guard before being taken down permanently, only to appear in the near future at some art dealer or gallery.
Despite the short lifespan of the artwork, let’s hope that it continues to raise awareness about the refugees crisis and inhuman living conditions in the Calais ‘Jungle’ camp and that authorities (regardless of their country flags) will work to improve the situation for both migrants and local residents.
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