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"The Heart's Lonely Thunder" by Faith47


Faith47 and Dal were just in Tel Aviv, where they each painted a beautiful wall.

"The Heart's Lonely Thunder" by Faith47


"Vessels -I" by Dal. Click image to view large


Photos courtesy of Faith47


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This gem from IKEA Hackers is one of the reasons I love IKEA. So many possibilities!!

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The Cement Factory, is a place Ricardo Bofill (Spanish Architect and studied at the School of Architecture in Switzerland)discovered in 1973. "The factory was part of an industrial complex from the turn of the century, comprising over 30 silos, underground galleries and huge engine rooms. Remodeling work lasted two years. The factory, abandoned and partially in ruins, was a compendium of surrealist elements—stairs that climbed up to nowhere, mighty reinforced concrete structures that sustained nothing, pieces of iron hanging in the air; in short, huge empty spaces filled nonetheless with magic. The complex stands in the midst of gardens of eucalyptus, palms, olive trees and cypresses. It also features Ricardo Bofill’s house and guest rooms..."

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I have learned today that the OG Funk and style master Tvrbo has sadly passed on to higher plains. This guy was not only one of the finest and most colorful of painters, character and style king but also a really lovely humble guy. His pieces and approach to walls were second to none putting him at the top of my list for influential writers. His absence will leave a hole and without a doubt he will be sorely missed. Big up Tvrbo may you continue to rip in paradise, our thoughts go out to his family and friends in this sad time. To celebrate his work here is a selection of what he left behind:

Getnloose has an interview with Tvrbo from 2010 HERE.

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Motion graphics studio Lichtfaktor has spent four cold nights working on a lighting painting video entitled, “dENiZEN – Shine a Light for Nature.” They used the stop-motion technique to make animals come to life in the city streets of Cologne. The film has already won two German web video awards. Photos © Lichtfaktor Link via [...]

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In case we’re late to work tomorrow morning, this is why. Mural by YOK.(Photo: ANIMALNewYork)




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Thank you so much to Street Art News for introducing me to the work of Roja Roma, an extremely talented muralist from Buenos Aires. I’m loving this work. Like many of the best young muralists from South America, Roja Roma mixes a street art vibe with a style that fans of traditional murals can love too. Here’s some of his recent work…

Collaboration with Corona








Photos courtesy of Roja Roma

Via Street Art News


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Last month, INSA was planning to go to LA to paint a mural, but he needed money for a flight and other costs of getting to and staying in LA. To raise the money, he sent out an appeal to his fans through his blog and offered a series of 12 paintings for sale (shown here). Anyone who bought a painting would also get their name painted on the mural, a photo of the mural, a thank you letter and an INSA goodie bag. By reaching out directly to his fans, offering the works at a discount and explaining exactly how the money would be used to fund more art, INSA was able to raise enough money to get to LA. Here are some photos of INSA’s latest wall with LA Freewalls. Check out more on INSA’s blog.





Photos by Todd Mazer

Via VNA


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The London Police, recently interviewed, painted a killer mural in Newcastle as part of their time at Unit 44, where their show closes today.

Photo courtesy of Unit 44


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Brothers of the stripe are a new collective of artists and “image makers” from all over the UK including Mr The Beef,*Mister Millerchip,*Stephen Chan,*Kristian Jones,*FiST,*The Cloud Commission,*Will Scobie,*Iain Sellar*(leaving after the Birmingham show and being replaced by…)*Patrick Schmidt.

Its a right old mixture of styles and techniques and we are really looking forward to see what they bring to their debut art show*’High Rides and Low Tides’ at The Custard Factory in Birmingham from the 2nd to the 9th of June…











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The beautiful black and white photography of Mustafa Dedeoglu. Photos © Mustafa Dedeoglu Link via Behance Network

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The team at Arrested Motion have curated their second show, and it is set to open in LA next month. City of Fire opens June 5th at Stephen Webster. The show includes work by Ron English, Kid Zoom, Pedro Matos, Nick Walker, Rostarr, Jeff Soto, Judith Supine, TrustoCorp and others. For more info about the show, email exhibitions [at] arrestedmotion (dot) com.

Photo courtesy of Arrested Motion


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We have been seeing these miniature resin 3d street art pieces for some time now around East London, in various colours and often in clusters stuck to walls, building and various other street furniture. Recently the pieces have gotten considerably larger such as those pictured, with each one featuring the 'Rolling Fool' character.

At first we assumed the various pieces we were seeing around London were all identical considering the detail in each, but from our recent set of pictures we realised they were numbered and each of the ones we found featuring the character in a different pose. With each piece embossed around the base with the words Rolling Fool Youtube, a quick search lead us to the video below which features these cement sticker characters in different locations right across London, with each one photographed and made into a clever street art animation. The work it seems is that of an artist calling himself Dr. Cream and his Jester Quester street art project would appear to be an urban art and photography quest that is interlinked via the search engines of Google, Flickr and Youtube. More info in the videos on the artist's Youtube channel here.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for additional photos and news.Hookedbloghttp://www.hookedblog.co.uk



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In his mission to liberate you from the tropes, traditions and thousands of dollars in debt associated with formal art education, YouTube art critic Hennessy Youngman will give you an MFA for only $3.99 or $4.99 or something like that.

No, really. Art is not like toaster where you take “a piece of white bread” and “get a nice brown piece of artist toast at the other end.” It’s mainly a lot of reading, so go here and order all the reading you need.

Because all you really need is a good friend who already has an MFA. Coincidentally, Jayson Musson just got his MFA last Spring. Which works out great for “Hennessy.” And you.

And don’t forget to brush up on your artist studio visit giving skills!




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It’s been a very competition filled few days and now we’ve got something else for you! To celebrate the launch of their online store The London Vandal are giving away one of their new T-shirts to a lucky VNA reader.’Tools of the Trade’ is designed by Richt and is part of a whole collection of artist designed tees.

With their new online store selling apparel, graffiti supplies and books & magazines launching this weekend we thought this giveaway was a perfect way to celebrate. You can check it all out here, with new products added every day.

To be in with a chance of winning one just answer this question. Which city is Richt based in?
Email your answers to ro@verynearlyalmost.com before the 24th May with the subject TLV COMP to enter. Good luck!





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A really great video by our main man Joao Retorta which showcases the live art at StreetFest Shoreditch this year. Check it out!





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Witty it may be, but Bansky's art is nothing to aspire to. The Australian plumbers who destroyed his work have created something infinitely more useful to humanity

Good news from Australia! While fitting out a cafe in Melbourne, builders have managed to run two pipes precisely through the middle of a Banksy. Where once there was a rat with a parachute and a briefcase, there are now two plastic elbow-joints and a bit of a mess. By creating something of lasting value for humanity, the plumbing is a clear improvement.



Because Banksy is easily Britain's most overrated artist – cynicism's Vettriano. In its banality and self-importance, his work towers over all contemporaries. A policeman snorting coke, a helicopter gunship with a pink bow on top, and this week, on Wood Green High Road, the appearance of a child labourer making bunting: this stuff insults us all, vapid consumer drones that we are, by presuming that its insights will be news. One of the triumphs of the Cultural Olympiad, which showcases British art, is that Banksy appears to have no role in it.



Clearly it's the subterfuge around his work that has made him famous and revered. (There is to be a candlelit vigil in Melbourne, for goodness sake.) This fame has made the pieces valuable, and the value seems to have deluded many people into considering them profound. Not Banksy himself, however: he was deluded from the beginning. "I like to think," he says in his book Wall and Piece (RRP £20), "that I have the guts to stand up anonymously in a western democracy and call for things that no one else believes in – like peace and justice and freedom." Yes indeed, I bet he likes to think that frequently.



There certainly is some wit and chutzpah in his work, and he is a fairly polished illustrator. But what should be the right amount of reverence for that? Other graffiti artists have judged it fairly well, by eventually obliterating the sweeping maid in Chalk Farm Road and the hitchhiking Charles Manson in Archway, among many others. Also, accidents keep happening. In Melbourne alone, three Banksies have been destroyed in the past two years.



To be clear, Banksy's work is not wholly unenjoyable – and Big Macs don't taste terrible either – but if he is starting to inspire people then their sights are being set about a mile too low. The whole point of graffiti is to be transitory and disposable, so let's hear it for the planet's cleaners, builders and vandals who, recognising instantly the uninterestingness of Banksy's art, dispose of it.

• Banksy
• Street art
• Art
• Australia

Leo Benedictus

guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds



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Graphic design student Marynn is only twenty years old and she already has a consistent illustration style.   Artwork © Marynn Link via Houhouhaha

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I had a chance to speak with artist Caroline Larsen who has launched a new painting collection that resolves around the theme of ships. Her art technique is known for its “woven” appearance which is made with oil paint. She explains how she came up with this artistic approach: “I was inspired by pointillism and [...]

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Opening this Friday is Ghostpatrol‘s new show “Cosmic Scale and the Super Future”. Once you see GP‘s characters you’ll know why he is so loved in Melbourne’s street art scene. I LOVE walking down Brunswick st, Fitzroy or around Collingwood and finding new GP pasties and characters.

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Valuable stencil work said to have been painted on Melbourne wall 15 years ago is drilled through to install bathroom pipe

A Melbourne builder has inadvertently destroyed a valuable piece of street art by the British graffiti artist Banksy by drilling a hole through it to put in a bathroom pipe.

Melbourne resident Tina McKenzie told Australia's Network Ten she had lived above Banksy's Parachuting Rat for almost a decade.

"Anybody that understands street art and recognises it as more than just vandalism understands that it is something we need to preserve," she said.

It is the third work by Banksy in the city to be destroyed in the past two years, including one that was painted over in 2010 in a council cleanup.

Jacqui Vidal, a local gallery owner, said the council needed to be more careful in avoiding the destruction of graffiti artwork.

"There should have been something noted on the planning permit that that Banksy work had to somehow be avoided," she said.

Banksy, whose identity is unknown to the public, first drew attention in the early 1990s with stencilled graffiti seen by some as subversive and by others as satire.

• Banksy
• Australia
• Street art

guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds



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“Pigeon in Port Authority” is the New York version of “deer in the headlights.” (Photo: Joseph Schulhoff/ANIMALNewYork)




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"Kats" by Storm. Photo by Heavy Artillery.


Enough cans o’ paint to make the rail squad faint.

Bwexo and Dash by Soke


Scor and Joker by thesaltr


Blitz by Spam Crew


Slime and Scape by TheSaltr


Water and Teazer by BadDogWhiskas


Photos by BadDogWhiskas, Heavy Artillery,*Soke, Spam Crew*and*TheSaltr,*


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"Chicos 2" by Jaz


Franco Fasoli, better known as Jaz, has his first European solo show this week in Barcelona at RAS Gallery. The show, curated by Maximiliano Ruiz, opens on May 17th from 7:30-10pm and runs through June 16th. Jaz is one of my favorite street artists, and his work really should to be seen in person to be properly appreciated. I saw him finished one of the pieces for this show when we were in Baltimore last week, and it was quite spectacular. Check after the jump for more of a preview of the show…







"Chicos 13" by Jaz


"Nueve Tigres" by Jaz




"Ring" by Jaz


Photos courtesy of Suben


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Good friend and contributing photographer for VNA, Nicole Reed is having showing of some work at an exhibition in Melbourne.
Knowing Nicoles previous work, this should be a cracking show, so get on down and check it out.

Details on the flyer below…


And keep an eye on this site for a profile on Nicole in the coming weeks…
Check out her work here



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You’ve seen the special edition magazines we produce with each issue, you’ve yearned after them, you may even own some. But today we have created this one-off opportunity for you to get your hands on them again.

We’ve gathered together special editions from VNA issue 10, through to our most recent issue 18; which feature covers from D*FACE, INSA, ROA, EINE, SICKBOY, SHEPARD FAIREY, INVADER, THE LONDON POLICE & CONOR HARRINGTON. Oh and did we mention that they are all signed with the exception of D*Face & Roa?

There is even a super rare signed Shepard Fairey copy, which only a tiny handful of people who were given printers proofs own!

These nine screen-printed copies will be sent out at random to the next 90 people making purchases through our website. So that’s a 1 in 10 chance of receiving one in the post with your order! Madness we know. Please note this only applies to orders of £5 or over before p+p charges have been added. Good luck – once they’re gone, they’re gone, so make sure you act fast to be considered amongst that 90.



VNA 15 special edition, signed by Shepard Fairey.





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Heres a little teaser for a project we are working on…



More soon…





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Can't make the opening night to this group show at Graffik Gallery but if you go send me a photo or three please.

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Bue in Berlin


Bue never fails to put a smile on my face. Here’s some of his most recent pieces, including collaborations with Mazuprozak, Squid, Sheryo and Jamz.

Squid and Bue in Ghent


Mazuprozak and Bue in Ghent


Mazuprozak, Bue, Sheryo and Jamz


Photos by Bue


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Can't Afford to be Broke
May 12 - June 2, 2012

London-based artist Word To Mother's newest collection of works features his distinctive visual assemblages of figures, patterns and typography painted in mixed media on wooden panels. Drawing from his own experiences in recent years, the state of the economy, and riots on his doorstep Can't Afford To Be Broke sees Word To Mother showing a sense of desperate yet hopeful pieces, using familiar references of both current and vintage popular culture icons, which evoke a sense of humor amongst more melancholic figures...

835 Larkin Street

San Francisco, CA 94109

Phone: (415) 931-1500


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A few years ago I featured the street art of El Mac, and he has continued to work on large-scale murals. Notes about the artist (from bio): Born in Los Angeles in 1980 to an engineer and an artist, Mac has been creating and studying art independently since childhood. His primary focus has been the [...]

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Japanese designer Nendo had a recent solo art show entitled*”Think Black Lines” that featured*29 unique furniture pieces. His creations were minimalist yet freaky how they appear to be two-dimensional and three-dimensional at the same time. Photos © Masayuki Hayashi Link via Mighty Optical Illusions

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Kidult's shirt in pink


The love/hate affair between Kidult and Marc Jacbos (here and here) continues… First Kidult painted the word “ART” on a Marc Jacobs store in New York. Then Marc Jacobs began tweeting about the piece as if it were created intentionally and selling a t-shirt with a photo of the defaced storefront for $698. Now, Kidult is making his own similar shirts, editions of 50 in white and 50 in pink, which will sell for €6.98.

Marc Jacobs’ shirt is available at the Marc Jacobs shop on Mercer Street in New York.

Kidult’s shirts will be available online at Kidult’s webstore at 3pm Eastern time on Wednesday, May 16th.

I still can’t figure out for sure of this whole series of events is a secret collaboration between Kidult and Marc Jacobs, or just two parties generating publicity and money through an actual fight/game of one-upsmanship. It’s a bit of a street art soap opera. Is Kidult working for Marc Jacobs? ISN’T HE?

Kidult's shirt in white


Photos courtesy of Kidult


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Since the Dorian Grey Gallery opened in Manhattan’s East Village last year, it has been home to quite a few artists whose principal canvas is the streets. Among these is Cope2 who has exhibited in the past year at Dorian Grey a range of pieces – from works on canvas to skateboard decks to designer bags — as multi-faceted as the artist. *This Thursday marks the opening of Resilient, his first solo show there, featuring works on canvas and custom subway signs. The discordant cacophony of images on the invite is in sharp contrast to his skateboard decks that surfaced in Dorian Grey’s most recent show.





Resilent images courtesy of Cope2; photo of skateboard decks by Tara Murray


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Other and Labrona at Haverford College. Photo by RJ Rushmore


Earlier this month, Labrona and Troy Lovegates aka Other came down from Canada for a few days. Their first stop was Haverford, the small Philadelphia suburb where I go to college. At Haverford College, they painted a mural on the same building that Gaia painted last year. Then, they spent less than 24 hours in Baltimore, but took advantage of every second for painting and getting up. In Baltimore, Martha Cooper invited them to paint in SoWeBo, a part of town where she has been photographing the residents.

Other and Labrona in Baltimore. Photo by Martha Cooper


Check out more photos from Haverford and Baltimore after the jump…

Jaz, Jetsonorama, Other and Labrona in SoWeBo. Photo by Martha Cooper


Other in Baltimore. Photo by RJ Rushmore


Other's in SoWeBo with the subject of his portrait. Photo by Martha Cooper


Labrona in Baltimore. Photo by RJ Rushmore


Labrona in Baltimore. Photo by Nether


Other and Labrona at Haverford College. Photo by RJ Rushmore


Other and Labrona at Haverford College. Photo by Other. Click to view large


Photos by RJ Rushmore, Martha Cooper and Nether


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Lovely promo video for Erms new solo show coming up in June at Art-el Gallery in Bristol…



Love it.

Deets of the show…

EVERYTHING BEGINS WITH AN E

*Art-el Gallery is delighted to announce ‘Everything Begins with an E’, a new body of work from the Graffiti writer and illustrator Erms.

*UK born but now based in Paris, he continues to be active in the Parisian graffiti scene.

*Taking diverse influence from classical New York and European graffiti, renaissance art through to pop art, traditional graphic design and illustration, the 80s Hip Hop movement and beyond. Erms takes us on a unique aesthetic exploration of the alphabet, of complex patterns, grids and graphic style.

*The title for the show is inspired by the famous Rave track of the same name. It also plays with the first letter of the artists tag as well as having intrinsic links to the rave scene.

The theme highlights the dangers of both of these pursuits that become all-consuming, and when taken to the extreme, the darker elements begin to appear…

This is the artist’s first UK solo exhibition since 2009 in the UK.*1st – 22nd June 2012

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Harriet White's work involves large scale paintings reflecting conflicting senses of intimacy and glamour. The use of luscious, textured makeup evoke an immediate sense of dazzle and seduction, whereas the scale and cropping can imply a certain exposed vulnerability....
See more HERE..[VIA]


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Faif understands public self-expression vs. the law


This is my running hypothesis: Sarcasm is how self-aware, suburban youth make sense of urban culture. Faif understands. Do you?

Faif understands necklace symbolism


Faif understands the quality of the buff


Faif understands the directions that hats are worn


"Graffiti is not graffiti without a big moustache." Faif, Magik, and Menor understand the graffiti aesthetic.


Photos by Faif


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By now most of London will have heard about the epic Dudebox launch last week, and if you haven’t, well lets just say it was pretty darn impressive! Prior to the event they got Mark Gmehling to paint this mural outside Village Underground with their motto ‘In style we trust’ – here’s how it went down.





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“A Momentary Rise of Reason” is a painting series by Dan Voinea. “Time is suspended, the characters are ageless, the backdrop [is] minimal.” [1]* The image at top of the couple actually resembles Rene Magritte’s artwork such as “The Mysteries of Horizon” (1955) and “Decalcomania” (1966). 1. "Momentary Rise of Reason." Danvoineagallery.blogspot.pt. April 25, 2012. [...]

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Got sent through some great images from Insa‘s recent trip to LA to paint this MASSIVE mural. Check them out…











Thats one big bit of painting!

The wall was done as part of LA Freewalls which is curated by Daniel LaHoda of LALA Gallery.

Images by Todd Mazer





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Artist Nic Joly creates miniature sculptures that narrate his thoughts and observations about life. His work reminds me of the art of Akiko Lda and Pierre Javelle, and Lisa Swerling. Top: “My Dream.” “Filthy Habit.” “Stuck.” “Waving Off.” “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword.” Photos © Nic Joly Link via Beautiful Decay

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Please excuse our absence today as we take a quick break and spawn a brand new ANIMAL. We’ll be back in full effect tomorrow. (Photo: Andres Rueda/flickr)




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Mr Banksy*has popped up a new piece in Turnpike Lane, London. The image depicts a child labourer getting the bunting ready for the Queen’s Jubilee. The piece, on the side of Poundland is very clearly, well placed. More great commentary on a current event. What do you make of it?

Thanks to Nuart for the heads up.




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The web has been abuzz all afternoon with chatter of a new Banksy street art piece in North London. According to locals this piece appeared some time in early hours this morning on the side of Poundland on Whymark Avenue in Turnpike Lane. This piece has not officially been confirmed as a Banksy piece, but with the Queen's upcoming Diamond Jubilee, the location of this piece and the style and cut of the stencil it is highly likely that it's the work of Banksy. Here are a selection of photos Hookedblog captured this evening.


Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for additional photos and news.Hookedbloghttp://www.hookedblog.co.uk



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Erica il Cane recently painted three sides of an artists’ studio space, Het vogelnest vzw, in the Belgian city of Ghent. He will also be showing his work inside the space on the 19th-20th of May and there is a “street art night” on the 19th with lectures by Sarah Rombouts, Peter Bosschaert, Harlan Levey and Javier Abarca, and a screening of Exit Through the Gift Shop. For more info on those events, check out the studio’s website. You can see all Erica il Cane’s murals after the jump…







Photos courtesy of Het vogelnest vzw


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Remi/Rough met up with TwoOne and Hendo and collaborated on this wall in downtown Melbourne.





Photos by Remi/Rough


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Over the past few weeks, I am sure many of you have heard whisperings about Seize Art Fair happening in London June 1. With no location or artist roster release, there is a lot of speculative reporting about what it actually is: from a baiting by cops to arrest street artists to a wannabe Cans festival with lesser-known artists. Is it a graffiti or street art fair? So of course Vandalog wanted to get to the bottom of Seize and spoke to the man behind the illegal fair, RSH, to get some answers.

What is the concept of Seize Art Fair? Is it a fair or is it a festival? Is the main purpose to showcase talent or buy art work like other fairs? What makes Seize different from other street art fairs out there?

As graffiti and its attendant culture are being appropriated by corporations keen to capitalize on its popularity, particularly with young people, those of us who do it for the love have grown tired of the endless stream of advertising disguised as “street art.”

Through the increasing commoditization and corporate appropriation of graffiti’s aesthetics the true nature of graffiti is being lost. Graffiti is ultimately an act of insurgency, a refusal to be on the receiving end of the confines of environmental control imposed by cities and corporations. Regardless of the level of talent involved in the act of graffiti the action itself is a pure form of artistic expression. A reaching out to the community for acceptance, notoriety, and engagement either positive or negative.

On the other hand the “art fair” has become the prevalent model for the large scale sale of contemporary art. Short one week festivals akin to an upscale starving artists group portrait sale at a roadside motel. They charge galleries incredible amounts to rent a cubicle style space and reduce art, its public consumption and its sale to an overpriced boot-sale. Art fairs are the horrible by-product of the capitalist driven model of art investment, like the slave trading markets of ancient Rome art is bought and sold far from the eye of anyone but the 1%.

So Seize Art Fare is both a reaction to the appropriation of graffiti, the blatant removal of the vandalism heart of graffiti, and to the cancer of the art fair commodities market that the art world has mutated into in the 21st century. No sales, no admission fees, no artist fees, no sponsors. Just people getting together to paint; fuck permission.

What do you think the sudden international rise in Street art festivals and is? Do you think it is financially driven?

Street Art is a general term used to mean art that is displayed on walls outside, which has become very popular in the last decade or so. But in the 1930-40s you had much the same kind of push into public art display, though at the time it was called murals, not street art. This kind of sub culture branding and rebranding is useful to the companies that want to cash in on the trend. Much the way Nirvana was suddenly ‘grunge’ in the 1990′s so that other bands could be sold under the same genre label.

The thing that none of these festivals have is the legitimacy of illegality. All of the festivals and fairs have been planned long in advance, public license applied for, council and corporate sponsorships sorted. They have banners printed, run ads in big papers announcing their “graffiti” festival and yet they are just the rebranding of muralism, nothing new. A brand name danger, packaged and sold with no real risk involved for anyone, participant or spectator. Without the action of doing it against the permission of society at large graffiti is gutted of its true power – it looses its soul to the realm of marketing and advertising.

Why did you choose London for its location?

It’s centrally located, some of the greatest artists in the world live close by, and it’s close to a major airport.

How are you deciding which artists and/or galleries can participate? What is the need for secrecy? Is it to build hype?

There is what you would call a curated group of bigger name artists. Those whose involvement is contingent on not being named beforehand due to the nature of the festival. Those are ones I have reached out to because I believe in what they do. But I don’t just want this to be another “look at me and my friends” festival where some clique gets all of the say. I want anyone who can use a can to step up and take the risk and do it, to come out and make it happen collectively. So its open and dozens of artists have gotten in touch and will be coming out. Lots of them are regular names you know in the graffiti and street art world. Others I had never heard of but was excited to have them reach out. This is for everyone. Free admission, no fees, no sales. Just open public art.

The secrecy is more of a safety mechanism for those involved. This is for real. We don’t have permission to do this festival at all. We have chosen a spot that isn’t likely to anger the owners due to its location and current state, but because we have not asked anyone about doing this, nor applied for council permission both the location and lineup will not be public until the day of June 1st.

What do you hope to accomplish with Seize?

With anything like this there is an amount of risk. The risk is part of its truth in this case. What we hope to accomplish most is to bring amazing art to a huge amount of people, create a positive environment for creativity and give back to the public. But to do so without asking. Why should people have to ask to bring beauty into the world? Its grey enough living in any city, what harm is there in sharing a bit of colour?


Stephanie Keller for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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ATG have headed to the Big Apple for a group show at the Klughaus Gallery as Jamie Brown, Dominic Corry, Will Robson-Scott and Jack Murray partner up to present a body of works.

The title of the show, ‘Silverlink’ refers to the former name of an overground line that runs from the East to the West of London. This particular line played an integral part in the worlds of all the artists involved. The group show will showcase a mix of photography, illustration, painting, collage and sculpture.

Over the last decade, the four exhibitors have been successful in following their individual creative path from their hometown of London to projects, commissions, and exhibits all over of the world. The ‘Silverlink’ show at Klughaus Gallery will be their United States debut.

For more information:*
646-801-6024
info@klughaus.net




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Another pretty impressive mural featuring Remi Rough…



Painted recently with Two One and Hendo…



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This is a very special print and the first ever canvas edition Tristan has made from his new paintings. The original painting is 5 feet by 7 feet, acrylic and spray paint on canvas. The painting took Tristan almost a year of painstaking work and is the first in a new body of paintings in this style. Each canvas is hand embellished, signed & numbered...

For info on editions and pricing go to VITRU GALLERY.


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These pieces by Nychos are unreal!!

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Here are the official pics of me n Eyefeelsick's customised 'Dude'.. we decided to fulfil a teenage dream and create the ultimate bespoke fully-functional bong!! The rusted metal effects were created with tobacco and superglue, and a nice metallic paintjob on top. Hope you like it!

We'd also like to thank the Dudebox crew once more for putting on probably the best art/product launch show that we've been to in years!! And trust, we have been to alot of shows in the last 5 years!! Amazing cocktails, beer, great sushi, hotdogs, popcorn, cupcakes & most importantly, a great array of new toys!





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Digital artist Joana Garrido has worked on visuals for films such as “Iron Man” (2008), “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008), “Star Trek” (2009), and more. Her personal art allows her to be more experimental by taking photographs of flowers and paint in water, as well as creating cool computer graphics [...]

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Concrete Jungle


I met Kenji Nakayama a number of years back in Boston when his stencils began surfacing on the streets of Cambridge and in local galleries and motley spaces. I loved Kenji’s technique, style and passion. His formal education as a mechanical engineer back in Japan clearly impacted his work. I’m thrilled now that Kenji’s first solo exhibition — featuring an incredible range of photorealistic, hand-cut stencil, spray enamel, acrylic and mixed-media paintings — is in Woodward Gallery, one of my*favorite NYC spaces. The exhibit continues through July 7th at 133 Eldridge Street. It is quite a visual treat. Here are some more images:

Shuttered Reality


CSX Rubric


Brooklyn


And here’s a view of the installation:



Photos courtesy Woodward Gallery


Lois Stavsky for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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In celebration of the Queens Diamond Jubilee on June 2nd, UK Stencil artist Agent Provocateur has produced, in conjunction with the Royal Dalston Pottery, a limited edition mug "Diamond"
You only have one week to order this ceramic masterpiece, ideal for mantel display, gifting to a loved one or even just sitting back on the sofa with and toasting our monarch while watching the celebrations on TV
The ordering process is simple, you will need to email the artist direct at aphq@aprovocateur.co.uk
The order lines are open from Midday (BST) Monday 14th May and will close at Midday(BST) on Monday 21st May. The edition will be determined by the amount ordered to a maximum of 100.



'Diamond'

Size: mugEdition: Maximum 100 (plus 3 Artist samples)

Cost: £10 + P&P

COMPETITION TIME
artbleat is proud to be involved in the Queen's Jubilee celebrations by being able to offer one lucky reader the chance to own 1 of the 3 Artist's Samples of Agent Provocateur's Diamond mug. The prize will also be signed on the base by the artist.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this fine prize is to either leave a comment on this post, or under the Competition post on the artbleat Facebook page HERE
The Competition is open NOW and will close at midday on 21st May

Good Luck.

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Best wishes to ESPVisuals close friend, Word To Mother; who just opened his newest show at White Walls Gallery this weekend! Looking forward to seeing the show pics as I know that his latest body of work is his strongest to date....

Images VIA & VIA..


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One of my fave American artists, Josh Keyes has a new show opening this month in Arizona....

Above and Below at the Joseph Gross Gallery
Selected Works, May 21 - Aug 30, 2012
Closing Reception: August 30th, 5-6:30pm
Artist will be in Attendance


Joseph Gross Gallery
University of Arizona
1031 N. Olive Road,
Room 108
Tucson, AZ
85721


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Although this looks like a regular illustration on paper, it is actually an amazing large-scale painting on a building wall in Brest, France. There are three murals that were photographed by Michele Quemeneur and featured at Street Art Utopia. Photos © Michele Quemeneur Link via Street Art Utopia

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Young New York: A Silent Art Auction & Fundraiser*is an fundraising initiative for the Young New Yorkers*(YNY) program, which aids and raises awareness for teens who have been legally classified “adults” and thrown into New York State’s adult criminal justice system.

The silent action will be happening*Tuesday May 29th from 6pm-10pm at WhiteBoxes projects, and feature works by*Steve “ESPO” Powers, LNY,*Steven Holl, Gaia, Labrona,*NohjColey,*the YOK, ASVP,*Doodles, Radical!, Feral Child, Cake, Ian Kuali’i and many others. All proceeds will go toward enabling workshops with successful artists, designers, teachers and social workers who will use creative theraputic methods to reach out to these teens in*New York State’s criminal justice system.

You can purchase tickets to attend the auction*here. For more information check out the YNY website*or Facebook.


Caroline Caldwell for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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LNY in Baltimore


Caroline and I were in Baltimore this week checking out Open Walls Baltimore. If you have the chance, definitely make a trip over there. Full posts about Baltimore coming soon. Point is, between Baltimore and moving this weekend, I’ve been lax this week. Things should return to normal on Wednesday or Thursday, but in the mean time, here’s what I’ve been meaning to post about:

• An update on the Kidult/Marc Jacobs situation: Marc Jacobs have turned a photo of the vandalism (or maybe commissioned tag) into a t-shirt that they are selling for $689, and at least one has sold already.
• Barry McGee’s show at Prism (his second, if you include his 2-man show with Phil Frost) has opened and is of course a must-see.
• Okay yes, it’s another Shepard Fairey show with images we’ve seen before, but there are a few gems in there. Specifically, the painted printing plates.
• A Basquiat painting went for over $16 million at a Phillips de Pury auction.
• This piece by Phlegm is one of my favorites from him in a while.
• Tes One and Bask collaborated on this dinosaur-themed mural in Florida.
• This group show at Opera Gallery’s NYC location looks like a top-tier show for being a group show. Anthony Lister, Interesni Kazki, Roa, Mark Jenkins, Bast, Swoon, Faile, so many more…
• Nychos and his crew paint some crazy stuff.
• Afeura, a mural festival in Peru, is using Kickstarter to raise funds for the project. So far, Escif, Bastardilla, Desertor and Jade have signed on to painting at the festival.
• In a move of crass commercialism reminding us that perhaps street art is dead, some artist made a really beautiful mural for the sole purpose of releasing a print of the same image.
• Sonni (the guy who did that crazy boom box in Miami) has a show opening this month in New York.
• Faile released some new prints on their website this week (sold out already of course), and intend to do so much more often from now on.
• The DMV and 1984 crews pulled the crazy stunt of putting on a one-day illegal show in Paris on the day of the French elections.
• Depoe is part of a two-man show opening on Saturday evening in New York. He has preview photos here.

Photo by RJ Rushmore


RJ Rushmore for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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I have always enjoyed trompe l’oeil, and artist J.D. Hillberry has dedicated a full section of drawings to this illusion technique. He says: “This entire image is drawn including the background, tape, and string.” [1] 1. "A String of Memories." Jdhillberry.com. Retrieved on May 12th, 2012. Artwork and photo © J.D. Hillberry Link via Donya [...]

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Photo by Lord Jim


This is an exciting time for*The London Police. Celebrating their 10th year in the*art world, gracing*streets around the world with their iconic LADS characters, Chaz and Bob now celebrate the opening of their first solo show in Newcastle*A Night with the London Police, which opened*on Thursday and will continue through May 18th. Sorry you missed spending a night with TLP and still in the area? You still have a chance to catch them in action, as they will be painting a large mural in Newcastle.

Amidst all the activity, Chaz was kind enough to divulge some of the lesser known details about The London Police*to Vandalog.

Which came first: your signature style or your aptness for vandalism?

My aptness for vandalism started as I was tagging my full name in crayon down the staircase walls in our house when I was 3. I hadn’t learnt that an alias might have helped or that it was wrong to even do it and so my father administered some quick and effective physical abuse to begin my rehabilitation. The signature style LADS characters began 20 years later.

Did you try out other names/styles before you established TLP?

We never had another name before The London Police. TLP was originally making photographs with a view to pasting them up on the streets (which we never did). The characters came later. Bob’s illustrative input later still.

Photo by Unusualimage


What is the artistic process of working in a duo (or formerly trio)?
We draw up some ideas depending on what project we are making and head off in a suitable direction whilst remaining flexible to subtle changes of idea on the way. One of us will start and the other will takeover at some point. The artwork will keep going back and forth whilst we’re always bouncing thoughts off each other of how we can produce the best result.

We keep morale up in the studio with plenty of close harmony singing. The singing mostly consists of acapella songs about dogs. The rest of the time we predominantly listen to the TOP GUN soundtrack or Bacobens Top Rock 500.

What would you say to your professors at your fine art school?
I didn’t go to fine art school. Bob says he would ask them how they felt about his regression from ‘fine sculpting’ to someone whose dressed like a blind man.

A Night With the London Police*is your first Unit44 opening. What’s different for you between this and your previous releases?

Only that the artwork is all Newcastle-centric. Its not a largescale exhibition. Just an invite from the Unit 44 boys to come over their studio and enjoy some drinks, music, bit of live drawing etc. Actually we only have two original works on show, but they are both being made into prints. The main reason for being in town is to paint a mural. Right now I should be painting it but I’m doing this interview in the pub opposite as outside it’s raining like a tiger pissing on a flat rock.

Photo by Delete08


When you gave up your jobs, and transitioned away from working with photography to focus on TLP, what was the vision of “success” you were aiming for?

Just to be able to live off our artwork without having to work for anyone else or do projects we didn’t want to do. ‘Success’ to us is about being happy in life and not wasting your time.

TLP recently celebrated its 10 year mark in the art world, and in that time you’ve gotten to paint all over the world. Can you tell us a little about what that feels like? How have you evolved? How has the “scene” evolved?

We are so grateful for the opportunities we have had to see the world and paint/showcase our work in so many different places. In the early days it was simply about traveling and leaving traces everywhere we went. As the scene strengthened through the internet and the growth of public interest the opportunities grew with it. These days we find ourselves working intensely on canvas work and making a reasonable living off our art. In some ways the romance of getting up and hitting the streets has been replaced with more of a work ethic, but it’s not lost on us that we have created our own freedom to do what we want and with continued success we can again create more freedom to work on other projects.

TLP and the scene have both evolved in many ways. Nothing ever stays the same so its important to enjoy things as they come; take the rough with the smooth and accept the changes too. Notably, Bob’s shift in fashion sense has worsened over the years. Recently he’s wearing the kind of shoes that make him look like a murderer.

Can you give us any details about the new mural you’ll be painting in Newcastle?

The lads from UNIT 44 have arranged everything. They are really trying to improve the visual aspect of their city by bringing different amazing artists from all around the world to paint. Unfortunately, all the amazing artists were busy so they asked us instead but we’ll do our best to make a big, strong, graphic piece. It’s on the side of a pub so that will help if we happen to fancy constant pints from midday onwards every day.

Photo by pierrotcarre


What’s your oldest piece still running on the streets?

I guess there’s a few in different countries like Netherlands, Japan, Germany, UK from the early 2000′s that pop up now and then but there can’t be much left from that era. The big commissioned murals tend to keep running. It makes me realize how effective the style of Space Invader is. That over time most of his work is still up in excellent spots.

If you could paint a mural anywhere and not get caught, where would it be and what would it be of?

I would roller my full name down my mum and dad’s staircase wall.

Do your LADS characters ever reflect your personal feelings?

Yep, I’m pretty much happy most of the time. That might be the Tapatio Reposado Tequila though.

What’s in the future for TLP?

We are making a “dog show” at Corey Helford Gallery in October. Different artists will custom make dog jackets and we will hire some quadruped youngsters to make a fashion show. On top of that we will be showcasing the TLP Dog Album with some live singing and a ‘dog’umentary. Dog-themed canvai will adorn the CHG walls and hopefully we will raise some money for our four legged friends.

Longterm we are hoping to buy an island near Malaysia and found our own country and live there with loads of other artists and musicians and have massive fields with packs of friendly dogs roaming around. We could also employ a specialist doctor to make Bob’s eyes less close together so he doesn’t look like a friendly, gormless Cyclops.

Photos by Unusualimage, Delete08, pierrotcarre and Lord Jim


Caroline Caldwell for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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“Fuck You, Pay Me” is a series of baseball bats by Word To Mother which can be seen in his brand new show*“Can’t Afford to be Broke” which opened today at the White Walls Gallery in San Francisco.

Alongside the bats, dollar bills with MOTHER screen printed on top, make up the work with a series of wood paintings, large scale work and some smaller pieces.




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With the recent death of MCA, the Beastie Boys legend, Aroe of MSK/Heavy Artillery has produced this amazing piece in Brighton.

Recreating the classic 1986 “Licensed to Ill” album cover as a fitting R.I.P tribute to MCA, the piece is 12ft high and 64 feet long. Details on the crumples of the plain crash show the depth to Aroe’s talent.




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Dudebox interviews artist Pete Fowler. They discuss his approach to art and what inspires him to create, along with a talka botu the upcoming ‘Pete Fowler and Friends” series being launched this month.




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We were invited down to the launch of UK-based, vinyl toy company,*Dudebox on Thursday night at Village Underground and they introduced themselves with a BANG.

Expectations were of a much smaller event, but as soon as we got through the door, we were greeted with a part-party, part-exhibition that filled the spaced of Village Underground very well, the place was rammed.

Perspex cases, perched on top of blocks, showcased the new range of toys, with artist contributions from the likes of Hicks, Jonny Wan and Mark Gmehling the Big Dudes were suitably impressive, priced at a reasonable £39.99 each.

Tucking into the Big Apple hotdogs on offer, along with big plates of sushi, popcorn and free-flowing drinks we checked out the rest of the range which included “The Big Bang” and “The Super Amazing Spectacular” series.

The Secret Walls (previously Secret Wars) crew were on hand, along with Pete Fowler to provide one of their classic live ‘art battles’ as the Dudebox team took on the Secret Walls team.

I was suitably impressed with both the event and the line of toys that Dudebox have put out to launch their name into the vinyl toy arena. Strong artistic work combined with a quality finish means that the prices are reflective of the ‘premium’ look and feel that Dudebox are evidently going for. UKSA will be keeping a close eye on forthcoming releases from the team and we wish them all the best in firmly cementing themselves as one of the leading toy brands in the world – we think they’ve definitely given themselves a strong starting position.

For further information and to stay up to date with all of the Dudebox happenings, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.




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A series of new stencil pieces and paste-ups have been appearing around East London over the last week or so and yesterday we managed to find so time to capture the selection presented here. The work is that of duo Jana & JS, an Austrian and French couple currently living in Salzburg, Austria. This is the first time we have seen their work on the streets of London and we are expecting to find a few more that we know we have missed.

Hookedbloghttp://www.hookedblog.co.uk



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If you are in Sheboygan join us for a presentation and salon at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center on Saturday May 19th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. We will be presenting an overview of what is so inspriring about street art and discussing how the city could embrace street art in a major project to be realized in 2013.





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Murder allegations appear as cursive graffiti in Williamsburg.*(Photo: New York Shitty)




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Photo by HookedBlog


Just after the closing of their first major UK exhibition*Crazy Eye Hotel*at the Old Truman Brewery, the Broken Fingaz crew let loose on the streets of East London. The Israeli crew, consisting of Tant, Unga, Kip and Deso, was able to put on the indoor display of their comic-strip-acid-trip-illustrations through support from*the British Israeli Arts Training Scheme;*a program built from a bilateral agreement between the British and Israeli*governments that enables a creative exchange between the nations’ artists.

Photo courtesy of Broken Fingaz


Photo courtesy of Other Criteria


What better way to say “thank you” to the political effort funding your first major solo show in England, than to further-exhibit your art illegally? On one hand, London is without a doubt one of best cities for street art, so can you blame them for getting up while there? On the other hand, if*the British Council, the Government of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Ministry of Culture and Sport, all of whom provide funding for this program, believed that perhaps they were actually funding some no good vandal punks to get up abroad, would it jeopardize the program?

The fact that they were putting up work was no secret, in fact it seemed advertised almost as much as the show itself.*…But on that first hand, Broken Fingaz crew is phenomenal.*What do you think?

Photo by HookedBlog


Photo courtesy of Other Criteria


Photo by HookedBlog


Photo courtesy of Other Criteria


Photos by*Hookedblog and courtesy of Broken Fingaz Crew*and Other Criteria


Caroline Caldwell for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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Makatron


Mike*Makatron (another member of the Everfresh crew) is a master of mixed media. His recent show “Mother of Millions” was amazing and showed off his skills across a variety of media and styles. I also love stumbling upon his giant pieces around inner Melbourne like the giant fish on Smith st Collingwood and the Vet Clinic on Johnston st Fitzroy. Mike’s art, both street and studio, clearly shows his interest in flora and fauna.

As well as making the walls of Melbourne beautiful, Makatron has traveled and painted abroad in places including*New York, Berlin, and India and Brazil.

I caught up with Mike and this is what we talked about… The interview has been in the vault for a while though, so a few of the references to dates are a bit, well, outdated.

LM: I’ve been loving all your massive pieces around town.. (Something I think Melbourne needs more of to be honest). From memory your pieces used to be smaller and more character based, what made you move into these giant animal pieces?

Maka:**Yeah I have gradually moved away from character and cartoony stuff over the last few years, and trying to approach walls in a similar way to how I would a canvas or piece of paper, in both style, content and layout by using the whole wall. Animals have always been a major source of inspiration, so creating them on an epic scale is a natural progression. It’s also easier and less technical if you paint something large.



LM: Tell me about your background. How did you get into street art?

Maka:*Art has always been in my life in some way, since kindergarten, but as far as street art, I worked as a bike messenger from 18 for about 10 years, in 9 cities. This life style was generally intense with travel and partying and riding and partying, so the appeal of the extreme side of art is naturally towards street art + graffiti. I have always liked climbing things too.



LM: What does your name mean?

Maka:*Well I have had this name since I was a teenager, most people in Australia know someone called Michael and someone called Macca, so its a derivative from that, and had something to do with being fast on a bike, or like a machine in sport, or piano maybe…* But I used to use variations of it tagging around town. It grew to mean something personal to me about the balance between man and machine, or nature vs nurture, or animal vs man… or something, but the last 3 or 4 years it doesn’t mean that much really, as I don’t paint robots much or find much inspiration in that side of life… More from the natural world and trying to be more instinctual with art.



LM: What do you enjoy most about the whole street art process? The creation, the night missions etc?

Maka: Definitely the creation side of things, especially collaboration, last week I painted a pumpkin/fruit planet thing with a French artist Dem189 in the commission flats in Fitzroy, and it felt seamless, we both didn’t care about the result and were painting over each other and throwing ideas around. Myself + Dem + Itch are in the middle of painting a balcony wall this week, where we have a plan but are all jumping all over everywhere, it gets blurred where people have painted but the final outcome if the rewarding part.**It has been interesting painting with people in Brazil who don’t speak English, (my Portuguese isn’t that good) but u can find a common ground in art. Late night missions are fun too though, especially roof tops… my favourite is in abandoned places where you can relax and take your time.



LM: Who or what inspires you?

Maka: Music is quite important to me, and essential for inspiration during the process…**I have broad interests, and I have a wide range of plants, which the weird cactus or succulent types are interesting. I’ve always found inspiration in females too, not necessarily in a sexual way, but there is a different kind of beauty in female forms. I like to play with twists of attraction and intrigue juxtaposed against something slightly disturbing. I find a huge amount of inspiration in other artists, I don’t like naming those who inspire me except if they are dead.

LM: Where do you work from and what is your studio space like?

Maka:**I’ve been part of Everfresh studio for about 6 years, which is in a large warehouse divided up into different rooms + work stations, but centrally a massive desk which is always full of shit. I have a big desk + a tool bench, and a lot of boxes and drawers. I try surround myself with a lot of tools and supplies, and it’s generally well ordered under the surface. The number of people using it fluctuates, but usually there is 1 or 2 other people around.

LM: What is always in your “toolkit”?

Maka: Tools



LM: What has been the highlight (or highlights) of your career to date?

Maka:*Not sure what to say, maybe having 2 solo shows that went well, but I’m 32 and feel like things are just beginning. Its all encouraging. Maybe a notable time was when I realised I never have to get a proper job again, and if things gradually increase over time, which I’m confident of, I won’t ever be hungry. I am a bit of a hedonist, and try to get the most fun out of life as possible. I do work a lot of hours, and don’t really have holidays, but its all fun.

LM: Tell me about your last show ‘mother of millions’ in October last year?*I really enjoyed it and loved the piece featured on the flyer.

Thanks, that name is a type of succulent from Africa, which is a toxic weed, illegal here, but rampant and has millions of offspring flowers. Also a metaphor for the earth we live on. I’d like to paint that piece about 10 meters diameter on a wall in Collingwood, which I have in mind, just trying to find the owner.**I don’t like the attention of a show on the night, or the constant conversation. It’s stressful but worthwhile doing. The guys at No Vacancy Gallery were really cool with everything too.



LM: What’s next or coming up for Makatron? Street, studio etc..?

Maka: I’m getting a round the world ticket soon, probably tomorrow, I’m trying to knock off a few big jobs before I go, one is an entry into the Archibald prize. But I’ll be in Brazil mid-March for a graffiti event up north in a city Recife, and after 2 or 3 months I am planning a small art show in Paris, and am hoping to paint at a few music festivals in Europe. I may have an opportunity to paint a big wall in New York too, and I’ll be going through Africa on the way back. I’m applying for an art residency in Cape Town. So my plans are vague but at least its flexible and I’m open to anything. I feel ready to leave Australia for a while, at least for the Melbourne winter… 2012 will be a good year.







All photos courtesy of Makatron


Luke McManus for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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Our friends over at clothing brand AnyForty have had a busy couple of months working on a new series of t-shirts in collaboration with Eddie Zammit’s T-world. With designs from Australian based artists like Beastman, Ken Taylor and Meggs, we have been eagerly awaiting this release for a while. But the wait is over.. nearly!

AnyForty jetted off to New York to launch the series last night at Gallery Bar, and whilst we are pretty jealous we weren’t there, they have revealed the look book today and they really have chosen the tastiest Aussie artists to design this collection.
They go on sale here on Monday 14th, so salivate away over the weekend and decide which of these affordable beauties you are going to get your hands on. Each t-shirt comes with an artist specific 24 page mini T-world issue as well!

Here is a small selection of the tees on offer, but to see the rest check out their look book.



AnyForty x Meggs

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AnyForty x Beastman



AnyForty x Ken Taylor



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Chilean artist Carlos Zuniga has drawn 135 portraits directly on phone book pages. His art series entitled “Next” has been exhibited in galleries in Paris, London, and Santiago. Artwork © Carlos Zuniga Link via Devid Sketchbook

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The collage art of Jordan Clark. Photos © Jordan Clark Link via Marcela Alverez

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The Orthodox community in Crown Heights celebrates*the festival of*Lag B’Omer with an ominous 20-foot-tall bonfire and barricades.*(Photo: DNAInfo)




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As most of you may know, last night premiered the latest episode of The Apprentice UK concentrating on the sales of urban art. The two teams were split up and tasked to represent two street artists and flog their work the public in East London at a night only gallery show. Obviously knowing very little about the genre himself, Lord Sugar set the teams up with car company Renault and gin manufacturer Beefeater in attempt to generate big sales for the teams by way of a corporate client. And then the circus ensued…

The episode opened with the teams standing looking frightened in Leake Street Tunnel in Waterloo with an ominous video of Lord Sugar talking them through the task. The candidates were then immediately split into their teams with half traveling to Bristol “the birthplace of graffiti” and the other half staying in London to source artists. In Bristol, the candidates met with SPQR and Copyright. Not liking the controversial wares of SPQR (the hypodermic needle freaked them out) the team fell for the stencil/tattoo-like stylings of Copyright. One of the guys kept trying to offer his own ludicrous interpretation the work as the camera panned to the silent artists making the situation just as uncomfortable for the viewer watching. In London, the teams met with Pure Evil, Nathan Bowen, and James Jessop. The teams fought over who wanted to sell Pure Evil’s work as he eventually went with the team that showed more enthusiasm rather than the pretty boy who kept talking out of his ass about how much he knew about street or rather that he may have viewed Exit Through the Gift Shop and retained a few facts. Bowen was also chosen to be shown, in order to impress Beefeater with his London centric characters. It was, however, ironic that half the team saw his work outside in Bristol and expressed how much they hated only to find out that they were selling it the next night. Nice job boys. The other team settled on Jessop and Copyright in the hopes of selling a large Jessop canvas to someone who was drunk enough to drop 10,000 pounds securing the team the win.



The shows themselves took place in Black Rat and Arch 402 with the usual street art crowds and bankers trolling through. The teams had no idea how or who to sell to, but just talking bullshit as if they were selling insurance. I’m just hoping that the artists who were involved were happy clearing overstock that night and making some extra money. Pure Evil alone sold over 10,000 pounds worth of work apparently. Not a bad haul and I’m sure some great publicity will come from it. Bowen got into the spirit by doing a live canvas based on the London landscape that could have gone to Beefeater, but with his representatives crappy client skills, the company left empty handed and their pockets still teeming with money. But in the end, the team that had Pure Evil won, even though it was only by 173 pounds. Bit of a shame. If only someone had enough space for any one of those 10 feet Jessops…

So what is the lesson here boys and girls? Is that anyone can sell urban art nowadays? Is it that almost anyone will buy something if you tell them it is cool/hip/trendy/up and coming? No no no. The lesson is that if you paid full price for any artists’ works than you paid too much. With an hour left to selling the teams started giving 50% discounts to some of the work. Half Price! Come and get it! Because that is not in bad taste whatsoever…

Images courtesy of BBC


Stephanie Keller for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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Westbank Gallery welcomes Mau Mau. Photo by Unusual Image


Last Thursday, May 3rd, Mau Mau‘s solo show Pigs Might Fly opened with a private view at London’s Westbank Gallery. I say private view, but with a guest list of over 500 people it was hardly private, more like a public view with a party list, all crammed into the two storey gallery.

Having seen some of the preview images I gave a little heads up prior to the show last week, mainly on the basis that I was actually excited to see the pieces for myself and to see how the installations looked up close.

Unfortunately I could not make the opening, but thanks to Beejoir (one of many who helped curate and hang the show) I has given the opportunity to have a look around a couple of hours before the doors were flung open. And I have to say the show did not disappoint.

Mermaid Wreckers. Photo by Unusual Image


Woof Woof. Photo by Emerson Soriano


Pigs Might Fly. Photo by Emerson Soriano


For me, a successful gallery show must tick two boxes. Firstly the artwork on display must be good, obviously. And secondly the show must be a ‘show’, it must pack a punch and be interesting, not simply an entire white walled gallery dotted with run of the mill artworks.

Mau Mau and his team certainly pulled it out of the bag and ticked both boxes with ease. The work on display was fantastic – canvas, paper, wood and metal pieces covered the walls. I was especially fond of Black Gold, a Mau Mau and Beejoir collaboration, Shell Reaper, and of course those great little Piggy Banks were a highlight.

Shell Reaper. Photo by Emerson Soriano


Foxy Stairs. Photo by Unusual Image


But it was upstairs that the show really came alive with an amazing installation comprising of multiple spaces which you accessed by climbing a spiral staircase covered in foxes. Split up by cupboards and a wire fence, viewers were met with a flowerbed of spray cans, Mau Mau’s secret stash, a Fox watching the box smoking a fag, and another surrounded by his Swag, all overlooked by more walls covered with art.

Wac Ronald. Photo by Unusual Image


Flower Power. Photo by Emerson Soriano


Business Stinks. Photo by Emerson Soriano


Swagger Jagger. Photo by Unusual Image


What's on the box? Photo by Emerson Soriano


Swag. Photo by Emerson Soriano


Overall I have to say the show was a cracker. As soon as you walked into the gallery you could tell that it was put together with passion (and some real hard work), and to me that is what counts. Mau Mau, his team of friends, and BestWank Gallery certainly know how to put on a show! If you haven’t already visited make sure you do before it closes on Sunday May 13th.

Photos by Emerson Soriano and Unusual Image


Tom Pearson for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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About four years ago, I began noticing Cake’s women wheatpasted onto the walls of *Williamsburg and Chelsea.* Their poignant elegance transfixed me.* Even in various stages of decay, they never lost their*heart-rending beauty.* Thanks to Keith Schweitzer and*MaNY,*in collaboration with FabNYC,*three of Cake’s women have now found a home off the Bowery in Lower Manhattan.* Here are some scenes from today’s installation:







And a wonderful full view of the installation can be seen on Cake’s page.

Photos by Lenny Collado and Lois Stavsky


Lois Stavsky for Vandalog |Permalink |No comments


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By using UV technology, Cara Phillips “set up her studio on the streets of New York City and photographed whoever was willing to sit in her chair. The idea was to offer pedestrians a chance to see their possible future and reconsider the fear of flaws that pervades our society.” [1] More notes about this [...]

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Soon after returning to Spain I was invited to go the Middle East. I went to the city of Manama in Bahrain to make a mural as part of the Alwan 338 festival put together by the Al Riwaq Art Space. Knowing the current situation there, I was a little apprehensive but a good friend working with the gallery explained the special nature of what the Al Riwaq Art Space was doing. I met some truly extraordinary people who believe in the role of contemporary art in their country's future. Against all odds they strive to change the barren artistic landscape that exists in Bahrain today. There are so many layers to Bahrain. There is a huge class division, exotic cars, colossal images of the king everywhere, boundless hospitality, arrests, the smell of tear gas every weekend, road blocks, women who can drive and are free to dress as they wish, a graffiti war between dissidents and the police, an American naval base since 1947, Fuddruckers, Sizzlers, a clamp down on dissident areas, the legal sale of alcoholic beverages, a rich cultural history...

It is easy to resort to the didactic or aesthetically pleasing image, but it is much more difficult to create poetic and emotionaly charged art that can reach you at different levels. There are few Bahraini artists creating profound work about this multilayered place and time. Al Riwaq Art Space is trying to change that and I have nothing but admiration for their efforts. I decided to create a mural of Yousif, a traditional Bahraini fisherman, one of a few hundred that are left. My Identity Series murals fade away with the wind and rain."
Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada





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From Specter: I recently finished a wall in baltimore for Open Walls Baltimore it's a faux billboard that tells a story of a changing neighborhood through the adds.

Hand painted as always. Its named "Confessions of a Billboard"





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We're big fan's of Prune's work and this is one of her first be expositions in New York City. At Invisible Dog, opening night includes not-to-miss performances.





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Word to Mother can’t afford to be broke so he’s standing up and saying it bluntly: “Fuck You. Pay Me.” are a series of bats that can be seen in his new show, “Can’t Afford to be Broke” at White Walls gallery opening Saturday May 12, 2012. Along with the bats are dollar bills with the notorious MOTHER screen printed on top, other hand painted MOTHER items, a series of wood assemblage paintings, large scale works, and small pieces.

Most of us have or are in a place where we can’t afford to be losing money and wasting time. “Can’t Afford to be Broke” will highlight those moments of hustling hard, overcoming and over achieving, and saying to the man, “no, fuck you, pay me, obey me, and do it on the daily.”























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The Hundreds collaboration with The Seventh Letter present this honest and unbelievably interesting video with Revok; I’ll let it do the talking.



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Ray Richardson returns to the Ben Oakley Gallery in Greenwich Tonight with a show called London's Top Dog.
The show will feature a series of lithographs produced exclusively by Master Printer Lee Turner from Hole Editions, Newcastle.
"A Bakers Dozen", thirteen A6 prints will be offered at pre-published prices throughout this exhibition. As well as the lithographs there will be a collection of Richardson's finest oil paintings to date, which have been painted and hand selected especially for this show"

The show runs until 3rd June, and no doubt at some point you will be able to buy the litho prints from the gallery's on line shop if you can't make it down in person.

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KYLE (2012)
Mixed media on found metal
90cm x 46cm



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FRENCH INVASION


NEW WORK BY: JONONE, NASTY, RERO, SPEEDY GRAPHITO & TILT


OPENING RECEPTION MAY 12, 7-10 PM

Fabien Castanier Gallery is proud to present the first exhibition in Los Angeles dedicated to the work of France’s leading street artists today. FRENCH INVASION features brand new work by: JonOne, Nasty, Rero, Speedy Graphito and Tilt. The exhibition will present an extensive range of work by these artists including paintings, installations, silkscreens and sculpture. Speedy Graphito, JonOne and Tilt will be present at the Opening Reception on May 12th, spraying a collaborative mural live from 4-7pm.


Paris has always been an important source of creative inspiration for artists across the globe, giving rise to some of the most important art movements in history. Though born in NYC, graffiti made its way across the pond, becoming firmly rooted in the neighborhoods of France. Whereas art produced on the streets was previously relegated to neighborhood walls and the metro, today it can be seen in galleries and museums. Street art in France has become one of the most considerable art movements of this century.


FRENCH INVASION highlights the differences in media, context, audiences and issues that these artists maintain both on the street and in the art market. Common to all these artists is their investment in the streets of Paris during the past decade but also their evolution in galleries in France and abroad. Contemporary urban art is now the movement of today and tomorrow.

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