Tag Archives: London

London: Kaws – Black Out at Skarstedt

October 3, 2019 butterfly

KAWS just opened a new solo exhibition called ‘BLACK OUT’ at Skarstedt in London. Featuring a series of ten new abstract paintings and two new sculptures. BLACKOUT coincides with KAWS: COMPANIONSHIP IN THE AGE OF LONELINESS at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, which follows a further solo presentation, ALONE AGAIN, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. This exhibition continues to further explore the emotional content of the artist’s work.

While retaining his colourful acrylic palette, the abstract compositions within his paintings contain figurative elements that suggest traps, pathways, bridges and boundaries. This imagery alludes to the artist’s underlying concern about the divisions within and across societies. He reminds us that despite living in a time of connectivity and constant communication we are separated by the toxic nature of current political and public discourse that also permeates social media.

With the sculptures KAWS uses two of his characters to convey opposing human attitudes.

In SHARE, the Companion is secure and looks outward, holding but not attached to the toy in its hand. KAWS’ figures, as ever, poignantly reveal to us the human condition in the contemporary world and also offer an alternative way of being.

In the sculpture TAKE, the BFF holds a child Companion defensively, pulling it back in a gesture of mistrust as if to prevent someone else from touching it; the child cowed looks to the ground, the fear is transferred.

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KAWS – BLACK OUT
Skarstedt

Until 9 November 2019

London, Shows

London: Banksy back to the Royal Academy

June 1, 2019 butterfly

Banksy created a new artwork for upcoming The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition that will open to the public on 10 June in London.

Following last year’s participation with ‘Vote to Love’ (covered here) , Banksy created another politically charged artwork about Europe and Brexit.

The artwork features a closed shutter with a ‘Customs’ sign for arrival from the EU.

Looking at the bottom of the shutter, a cheeky stencilled rat stole the T of the ‘KEEP OUT’ sign to use it as a hammer over the padlock that keeps the borders closed.

Above Pics by Tagfinearts & Peter Jones

Vote Love – Banksy’s artwork for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2018

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London: Banksy new artwork supporting Extinction Rebellion protests

April 26, 2019 butterfly

A new Banksy mural appeared in Marble Arch, London to mark the end of the 10 days of climate change protests by Extinction Rebellion activists.

The environmental artwork sprung up on a wall in Marble Arch around the time the demonstrators gathered nearby to celebrate the closing of their spell of disruption in central London. On Sunday Great Thunberg addressed the crowd and the Parliament on climate change issues. Massive Attack also played a concert on the Extinction Rebellion stage.

Although unconfirmed yet, the artwork bears all the marks (location, style and message). The multilayered stencil of the little girl has been used previously by Banksy in his Walled Off Hotel (covered here)

In her hand she is holding the logo of the Extinction Rebellion activists.

A slogan next to her reads “From This Moment Despair Ends And Tactics Begin”.

London, Paris

Banksy News

February 2, 2019 butterfly

Three major headlines related to Banksy

London: Banksy enters the permanent collection of the British Museum

The British Museum in London has acquired its first work by the anonymous artist, a fake £10 banknote depicting Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, which will join its collection of coins, medals and other currency.
The work, entitled Di-faced Tenner, was one of thousands of copies produced by the artist in 2004 as part of a planned art performance. Unlike ‘Peckham Rock’, a fake cave painting on concrete , which was part of a 2005 stunt and loaned again to the museum for a recent exhibition on dissent and protest in 2018 (see our coverage here), the note has been donated to the museum by the artist’s representative Pest Control.

It is the only official banknote ever released by Banksy. Any other kind of currency note are simply NOT by the artist, so fans and buyers beware. And the Banksy Di-Face Tenner indicates on its back ‘Trust No One’.

Palestine: Banksy creates a new artwork at the Walled Off Hotel

Two years after the official opening his artivist hotel in Bethlehem, Banksy just revealed a new artwork inside the Walled Off Hotel.

Conveying a message of Love and Peace, the artwork depicts a little veiled girl playing with coloured 3d block shapes looking at a giant heart shaped hole in a concrete wall which shows a neon light blue sky. Looking closer the 3D block shapes on the floor are iconographic symbols of all monotheist religions, from the cross to the start and crescent. Messages of peace are graffitied on the wall while Banksy’s signature is engraved in the concrete.

Paris: Banksy’s tribute to Bataclan’s victims is stolen

Sadly less than seven months after Banksy painted his tribute on the fire-exit door of the Bataclan theatre, where Islamist militants killed 90 people three years ago, the artwork has been stolen, the venue has said.
The work, one of a series of murals during Banksy’s invasion of the French capital last June, showed a veiled female figure in a mournful pose. ( Check our initial coverage about the artwork here)
“We are today filled with a deep sense of indignation. The work of Banksy, a symbol of contemplation belonging to all – residents, Parisians and citizens of the world – has been taken from us,” the Bataclan said in a Twitter post. A police investigation continues.

Stay tuned for further updates

London, Shows

London: Sweet Toof – Mid Nite Crisis

December 14, 2018 butterfly

Legendary UK street artist Sweet Toof is returning to the London East End (118 Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 7NY) with a solo exhibition entitled Mid Nite Crisis. Opening on the 14th of December, the exhibition features paintings, sculptures, ceramics, miniature portraits, linocut prints and more surprises. With bright colours and his signature gums and teeth, there is a bit of eye candy for everyone during the festive season. Check out some preview images of the not to miss show below…

Screenprint Queen Aida Wilde is celebrating 10 years anniversary of print collaborating with Sweet Toof with a special release : From EAST END SUCKS to GentriFUCK