Taking advantage of his time in New York while there to paint the Houston & Bowery wall (covered), Banksy continued to put his stencil skills to work around town (also see Clock Rat). Another two pieces have been posted to his Instagram – one cleverly shows the price of capitalism and those who suffer as corporations chase profits while the other shows a seal balancing a faded ball (the logo of the old abandoned Mobil gas station) perhaps speaking to environmental concerns. Both murals from […]
Taking place in the middle of March every year in Valencia is the Las Fallas Festival (or Festival of Fire) which has evolved from the feast day for St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters into a five day extravaganza. The highlight of the event is the creation and destruction of a fallas (or ninots), one of which this year was designed by Spanish artist Okuda. The 25m high sculptural piece entitled Universal Equilibrium features his signature vibrant color palette as well as his recognizable prismatic patterns. […]
More stories below from this week (click on bolded words for more information): H&M files lawsuit against graffiti artist Jason “Revok” Williams, then apologizes. Is H&M’s graffiti scandal apology too little too late? Why that story about H&M stealing graffiti isn’t so simple. Street artists in the US have more rights than they thought. How now, they’ll be taken more seriously. The most promising Spring museum shows and biennials around the world. New exhibition focuses on KAWS-style customizations. Dealer Johann König on why art galleries need […]
Followers of the work of Banksy and the global street art world would hardly imagine the elusive artist ever taking part in the ongoing Houston Bowery Wall initiative. Yet, on the 15th of March, only two days after his time chasing rat appeared on the busy intersection of Union Square (seen below), the world learned that Bristol’s finest had been added to the list of artists that have painted the wall famous since Keith Haring painted it first in the 70s. Taking his turn at one of […]
Recently in Shenzhen, China, Thomas Canto installed a reflective sculpture on top of a private building entitled Gravitational Inertia Infinity. The piece is the first in a new series of works that the French artist plans to explore in the coming months and continues his play with depth, geometry and illusion. Mirroring some of the star-like installations he has created indoors, Canto is taking his work full circle by heading outdoors back to the urban environment, hoping to start a dialogue between nature, human and architecture. Discuss Thomas […]
Art historian Hector Campbell sat down with British artist Daniel Sparkes aka Müdwig to discuss his early street works, artistic influences, the evolution of his gallery work and his collaborations with fashion brands. The British artist also recently teamed up with art collective Fluorescent Smogg to release a new limited edition printed silk pocket square, available here. Hector Campbell (HC): Many people will have first encountered your artwork around 15 years ago through your series of altered billboards, which became known as the ‘Mudverts’. What drew […]
More stories below from this week (click on bolded words for more information): JR mounts a towering monument to refugees at The Armory Show. A tour of NADA New York 2018. How NADA helps young galleries in hard times. At Independent Art Fair, emerging and established artists share the stage. Searching for trends at The Armory Show with empty pockets and a drink in hand The 20 best booths at The Armory Show. How the 1913 Armory Show dispelled the American belief that good art had to […]
Following a collaborative wall with Shepard Fairey (covered) while in Los Angeles for his solo show (covered) a couple week ago, Vhils recently created another mural with a high profile artist. The latest piece (with support from Branded Arts) features one of the Portuguese artist’s signature chiseled portraits surrounded by RETNA’s (featured) instantly recognizable urban script. If you are around Echo Park (Alvarado & Sunset), stop by for a look yourself. Check out more photos and a video below… Photo credit: @metalzombieman (top image), @streetartfocus, @streetartdistortion, and the artist. Discuss Vhils here. […]
More stories below (compiled with the help of YESNIK) from this week (click on bolded words for more information): Kaws’ Small Lie figure installation at Hamad International Airport in Qatar (photo credit: @dash.jpg). 39 must-see gallery shows in New York this March. Russell Crowe “The Art Of Divorce” auction. What’s driving nonprofits into the art world’s arms. 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair New York 2018 exhibitor list revealed. Artists Space NY adds Barbara Gladstone to the board. Former Artforum Editor Michelle Kuo joins MoMA as curator. […]
Recently in Los Angeles, Jen Stark unveiled an outdoor public sculpture commissioned by the Santa Monica Cultural Affairs and curated by LeBasse Projects. Entitled Tunnel Vision, the 20ft x 5ft x 5ft installation features a cascading series of ring shapes that bring to mind her paper cut pieces when viewed directly on, utilizing the same vivid colors and familiar forms. From the opposite end, the sculpture follows a black and white gradient adding another unique perspective. As part of the ROAM series of temporary art installations, the piece will be on view […]
Onejessa recently completed a rooftop mural on top of the Hibernian House in Sydney’s CBD. The piece is a larger than life reproduction of a mixed media piece from her latest collection Violent Harmonies that will be exhibited starting the 14th of March at M2 gallery. Using diverse painting techniques, the Australian artist constructs opulent assemblages of collages which are sometimes immortalized inside transparent resin. These often psychedelic creations are focused on exploring the concepts of mortality, religion and societal hierarchy, as well as human interaction with nature. These […]
More stories below (compiled with the help of YESNIK) mostly from February (click on bolded words for more information): Frieze to launch Los Angeles art fair at Paramount Studios in 2019. 5Pointz graffiti artist awarded $6.7 million for destroyed murals. Developer is planning to appeal. Another San Francisco art fair will target the ever-elusive tech industry collector. How the glitz and excess of the 1980s shaped contemporary art. Art storage facilities offer a new model for galleries priced out of Chelsea. For NY artist’s struggling […]