Category Archives: London

London: Smile Britannia Charity Auction 2014

December 4, 2014 butterfly

Nick_Walker_Royal_Doulton

On Saturday 13 December 2014, the Houses of Parliament open their doors for the second ‘Smile Britannia ’ – a charity auction night where some of the UK’s best contemporary and urban artists will auction off their work to support projects improving lives across the globe.

Last year (see our 2013 coverage here) pieces from Banksy, Nick Walker and Shephard Fairey went under the hammer, raising over £80,000 for incredible causes.

With the gathered funds from last year’s auction the ‘Smile Britannia’ collaboration between London Westbank Gallery, the Last Night a DJ Saved My Life Foundation and Temwa has already helped thousands of people, from funding a clean drinking water project in rural India benefiting thousands of people, to training over 1,400 Malawian farmers in sustainable agricultural practices and empowering disadvantaged communities in London through art.

This year the collection features works by leading artists including Goldie, Inkie, Copyright and Turner Prize winner Richard Long, and another piece by Banksy.

Celebrating the Royal Doulton’s 200th anniversary in 2015, Nick Walker has collaborated with Royal Doulton to create a unique new figurine, Vandal vs Parliament, a 3D form of his signature vandal character. The limited edition will be first launched at Smile Britannia to support the charity projects.

The full list of artists includes: Andy Council, Art is Trash, Banksy, Beejoir, Belinda Frikh, Ben Allen, Benjamin Murphy, Chapter, China Mike, Copyright, Cunni Outsider, Dank, David Walker, Ellie Steele, Elmo Hood, Fin DAC, FLX, Gemma Compton, Goldie, Gil Carvelho, Henry Hate, Hornhead, INKIE, James Mylne, Jim Starr, Jim Vision, K-Guy. Lhouette, Lucy Sparrow, Matt Small, Mau Mau, Mr. Cenz, Mr. Jago, Nick Walker, Osch, Paul McGowan, Patrick Bremer, Richard Long, Rowan Newton, RYCA, Schoony, Stiffado Dante, Studio Philly, Tim Fowler, Toaster, Tommy Penton, Will Barras, Yuliya Danylyuk, and Zeus.

View the lots here

Tickets to the event will cost £100 which includes a Champagne reception with canapes, and entry to the after-party at the Groucho Club. Online, phone and reserve bidding will be available this year for those unable to attend in person.

For more information visit www.smilebritannia.org
book at info@smilebritannia.org

London, Shows

London: Anthony Lister – Hurt People Hurt People

December 1, 2014 butterfly

Despite being recently arrested and charged for graffiti in his home city of Brisbane ( see here), Australian artist Anthony Lister made it through to the UK for his new solo show entitled ‘Hurt People Hurt People‘ at Lazarides Rahtbone gallery in London. He also managed to paint three murals in the streets on London.

Anthony Lister - Hurt People Hurt People

The exhibition features colourful canvases highlighting contemporary issues, from seductive female figures in superhero outfits to soldiers and still life paintings. It is also the opportunity to view a series of bronze sculptures.

Anthony Lister - Hurt People Hurt People

View the full set of pics here

Anthony Lister
Hurt People—Hurt People
Until 20 December 2014
Lazarides Gallery, London

London, Shows

London: Giacomo Bufarini a.k.a. RUN – Parabola di G

November 30, 2014 butterfly

Howard Griffin Gallery is currently presenting an exhibition and sculptural installation by Giacomo Bufarini a.k.a. RUN entitled Parabola di G. The London-based began painting murals on abandoned walls in Bologna and Florence in the 1990s under the pseudonym ‘RUN’ and his signature characters with interlocking hands and faces can be found from China to Senegal. Moving to London in 2007, the Italian artist continued his street work as RUN while developing his studio work.

In this exhibition, Bufarini leads the viewer through a semi-autobiographical narrative told through a series of highly detailed pen and ink drawings that collectively make up a book within an immersive gallery wide monochrome installation. The imagery follows the journey of a semi-fictional character, G, as he falls through levels of reality into a dreamscape. As they walk through the space, visitors discover a story within a story, stepping into the unfolding drawing pages. Through a host of metaphorical characters in surreal scenes, the show explores ideas of imagination and creativity and spirituality.

Giacomo Bufarini - Parabola di G

View pics from the opening here

Giacomo Bufarini – Parabola di G
Until 21 December
Howard Griffin Gallery
189 Shoreditch High Street
London, E1 6HU

London, Shows

London: Daniel Arsham – Pippy Houldsworth Gallery

November 27, 2014 butterfly

New York based contemporary artist Daniel Arsham launched a wall intervention called ‘Bound Figure’ at Pippy Houldsworth Gallery in London. Using fiberglass, a pair of shoes, and manipulating the surface, the artist created an optical illusion of a human figure trapped by the gallery walls.

Daniel Arsham

The gallery is also displaying a series of signature artworks like a disused walkman, camera, guitar and boombox.

View the full set of pics here

In parallel Daniel Arsham is also participating to the awaited show Post Pop: East Meets West show at Saatchi Gallery.

Lastly to coincide with a new limited edition sculpture release, the artist premiered his film Future Relic 02 film, featuring James Franco.

Daniel Arsham – Pippy Houldsworth Gallery
Until 5 January 2015
6 Heddon Street
London W1B 4BT

London, Shows

London: Nigel Cox – Oblivious

November 25, 2014 butterfly

Irish artist Nigel Cox is currently showing a new body of works entitled “Oblivious’ with contemporary curatorial duo Coates & Scarry in London. Nigel Cox creates minimalistic oil paintings with an extraordinary realism and meticulous details.

Inspired by ordinary people going about their everyday lives and immersed in their own routine, he captures their moments unaware.

The abandonment of background detail focuses the viewer directly on the subject, whose face is not visible, and creates a feeling of inner calm and tranquillity.

Nigel Cox - Oblivious