DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing is probably one of the most influential and revered LP’s of the last 25 years. It also boasts one of the ill-est covers produced, a piece of art that embodies its creators musical soul and the culture he was (and remains) part of. Featuring create digging cats and one of the four legged variety, B+s photograph is a piece of musical history. The full panoramic version of the shot has been available for sale, put your best foot forward and head over to the e-shop.
Some doubted Cameron’s commitment to the urban game, questioning the sincerity of his ‘hood a hoodie’ campaign but the new PM has upped-the-ante on the haterz by presenting President Obama with a piece of art by typo-graffer extraordinaire (and re-formed illegal dauber with previous) Ben Eine.
Political tittle-tattle aside, having interviewed Eine for issue 02 we can safely say that this recongition is more than deserved. Not only is Eine a top bloke to share a pot of tea with but he is a multi-talented artist. His work on prints released via Nelly Duff, Urban Angel, and before that his time as a printer at Picturesonwalls, confirms that he’s a black belt in the complex art of screenprinting, while his street creations appeal to the public and are often more subtle than you may think.
Still the thought of us and Sam Cam having the same taste in art…scary.
The work of UK street-artist Cept always brings a smile to the face. Often appropriating familiar images of superheros and adopting a pop-art style, his piece of street work that samples the lyrics to Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Aparthas just been released as a print entitled Again and Again(OG image right, print left). OMG as one of Litchenstein’s characters would undoubtedly have exclaimed.
Wednesday night saw Soho’s primo bike store Tokyo Fixed Gear play host to none other than Bonafide collaborator Emilski’s debut show – regulars here will recall the London artist’s fresh-to-def Bonafide X Nike Tied Together tee. The night – in conjunction with Topsafe, the crew who launched the first hardback homage to London graffiti AKA Crack ‘n’ Shine – showcased a number of hand-painted signs amid all the bird bones and beer, pitting some of London’s dirtier dens of fried chicken inequity against each other to amusing effect. The whole affair definitely got Bonafide thinking about a little Junior Spesh on the way back to the bits, but we settled for another wing and some exercise over at Deviation. The signs will hang for the next week, along with some three-colour screen printed tees (as well as the original print) so hot you’d think they just came out the fryer. Hit up Topsafe for more info. JW
Polish artist M-City’s work is currently being shown at the Carmichael Gallery. Wielding a spray can, scalpel and cardboard, M-City’s work is, like Logan Hicks’ output, about the method; the images are built up from complex, overlayed stencils that reveal images built within images. For his visuals think Sim City meets Lego meets a frustrated town planner with a spraycan. Recurring themes include ballooning tower-blocks and industrial cities painted on to walls and exude an energy fit for an urban space.
Running between July 10 – August 7, 2010, the show includes new canvases, a site-specific gallery installation and outdoor mural project.
Italian street-art general Blu has released another one of his jaw-dropping wall-painted animation videos. Entitled Big Bang Big Boom, it’s Blu’s take on evolution and it’s consequences. Take five and soak in some next level visual dopeness.
Bonafide is proud to have been selected alongside 23 other creatives to represent London for the Nike (RED) TIED TOGETHER campaign, a noble initiative to raise awareness and support for fighting AIDS in Africa. Here’s the low-down;
“TIED TOGETHER is an epic journey in response to a global health crisis. Five cities. 120 hours of racing. 24 hour relays. …Read More.
Speaking of super-fresh project’s, Madlib’s Medicine Show 05 features a comic devoted to fictional, early-90s-era gangsta MC, Rapper X. Written and illustrated by Benjamin Marra of Traditional Comics, Stones Throw dryly comment: “The comic is so over-the-top in it’s extreme violence, it is likely only to appeal to immature audiences, and almost certainly serves no social purpose – perfect for Madlib Medicine Show.”
Caught looks like a sumptiuous slice of contemporary illustration, graff and audio visual goodness and promises to be something special for the Leeds art scene.
Stemming from the BestJoinedUp nights, Caught brings together the likes of Will Barras, The Pern, Replete, Inkie, Sri McKinnon, Drew Millward and Phlegm and will uncover some of the treasures retrived during the BestJoinedUp sessions and also unveil some brand-new-it’s-still wet work.
Caught will run from the 21st May to the 7th June. Check the site for the skinny.
We’ve mentioned the work of artist Ericailcane (Eric the Dog) a few times. Having witnessed his handywork first hand, we can safely say that, in terms of ideas and execution, there are not many better artists roaming the streets. It’s great news that his new website has been launched. Take five minutes to get to know the characters of Funny Games (see above) and their friends, all of whom populate a darkly funny world. Beatrix Potter this aint.
