Craola AKA Greg Simkins has been around the art and street art scene for two decades with his surrealistic and imaginative artwork. He is now presenting a show at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery in Los Angeles. ‘Stop Haunting Me’ is a selection of newly shown works, some which date back 20 years, the time in which he started painting on the streets under the pseudonym Craola. “That single decision propelled me into what I would be doing the rest of my life and turbo charged my obsession to make art”. We’re listening…
The artwork undoubtedly has a focus on nature and the unreal – creatures from the sea meet creatures up high in the trees; in a riot of scales, feathers and tentacles. With thoughts of a weird and wonderful nature visiting Simkins at night, he gains inspiration to develop his work into what it is today. Simkins says “jotting down notes and sketches in the early hours has introduced me to a formidable cast of characters and themes”.
In creating the work for this exhibition, Craola had two reoccurring themes that were a focus for him. One being that it is the 20th anniversary of writing graffiti under the name of Craola. The other, the idea of ‘what if’ the past was able to come back and haunt us…
JR is a world renowned photographer and street artist – you may have seen his work in projects such as ‘Face 2 Face’ (2007) or ‘Woman Are Heroes’ (2008) in the past.
His most recent completed project is named ‘The Wrinkles of the City‘, and it is equally as poignant as its predecessors. This mammoth project started back in 2008 In Cartagena, Columbia; onto Shanghai, Los Angeles, La Havana and most recently Berlin.
This worldwide project presented in various cities gives focus to the elderly citizens who have lived through periods of change within their country. Large scale portrait photographs are pasted upon the very landscape and architecture of the cities that these individuals inhabit.
Last year JR got together with good friend and talented street artist José Parlá in La Havana, Cuba. Parlá is of Cuban origin so it seemed rather fitting a location for this impressive collaboration which was undertaken for the Havana Biennale. The subjects involved were 25 elderly citizens who had lived through the Cuban revolution – their portraits were pasted upon walls which until then were predominantly adorned with images of its leaders. In addition to the striking black and white photographs, Parlá made markings on the walls which echoed the distressed surfaces and worked very nicely with the photographs.
On April 17th JR presents his solo exhibition at the Henrik Springmann Gallery in Berlin to mark the next stage in ‘The Wrinkles of the City’ project. Like he has done in previous cities, JR will feature 15 elderly citizens who have experienced change and upheaval in the city of Berlin over the years. Already in place is a building sized arm with a hand making the ‘West Side’ symbol, located at a busy intersection in East Berlin.
The exhibition runs from 17th April until 25th May 2013 at the Henrik Springmann Gallery, Gipsstrasse 14, 10119 Berlin.
On another note: José Parlá has a new exhibition
José Parlá is showcasing a new body of work at the Yuka Tsuruno Gallery in Tokyo up until May 18th. His signature style consists of layered painted images which take inspiration from walls throughout the cities that he has travelled through. He explores texture, colour and language within the paintings, creating a unique calligraphy style – lovely! The show will also feature a huge painting measuring 15 meters!
JR: The Work On The Walls
Photographs by JR, with artwork by José Parlá – La Havana, Cuba
Earlier this month contemporary artist David ‘Meggs’ Hooke opened his solo show ‘Heavenly Creatures’ at the Thinkspace Art Gallery in Los Angeles. The show features classical mythological stories and contemporary figures like comic book characters and superheroes.
The persistence of mythological themes is explored through the artists signature mixed media style. The artwork encourages the viewer to see thematic similarities between the old and the new, as the artist attempts to re-imagine old familiar stories with renewed energy and relevance.
The show displays an impressive selection of paintings, sculptures and installation works from the artist. It even includes a large scale thaumatrope. What is a thaumatrope you say? It is a Victorian device used to demonstrate the persistence of vision – two images appear to merge together when spun around quickly in front of your eyes.
The paintings are mystical, bold and colourful – we suggest you take a visit if you are in the area! If not, find out more by checking out his blog and by following him on Twitter.
“Heavenly Creatures” opened on April 6 and will remain open for viewing until April 27 2013.
Thinkspace Art Gallery
6009 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
United States
A year or so ago we were in sunny Buenos Aires; throwing blue paint everywhere, chatting to the locals and working on a large scale mural for Meeting of Styles. Not a year later we were happy to hear the news that Alex Fakso was to visit the city, and here is a brilliant record of his time there with an insight into this process and attitude to photography and the subjects he chooses.
Fakso is a great photographer, representing a world that we cannot see. An avid capturer of street art in the process, his photos show real life people with real life issues in real life dirty dark tunnels. Let’s just say on his trip to Buenos Aires he didn’t get much sun, instead lied low, stayed dangerous and got on with it.
Having already released a couple of great books on his work, Fakso is storming his way through street art urban culture and telling us how it is. A graffiti writer himself, he claims he is now not telling the stories, but creating the pictures. Part of the reason for his move from street art to photography was due to the way photography captures more attention to detail than the painting on the wall can. Not to mention a photograph is forever, and walls get painted over.
The video below, filmed by Dscreet for Very Nearly Almost, documents Fakso’s trip to Buenos Aires alongside some words about his work. Check it out!
A while back, in late 2012, we had the fortune to meet the infamous and eclectic character that is Anthony Lister. You can read about how he spent some of his time in London here. If you don’t know it already the man is an absolute paint fiend, getting up all over and everywhere with a brash, bold and distinctive style.
This video, filmed and edited, by the man Haruka Irie is a unique snapshot into Lister’s fierce technique and don’t care attitude. It’s the 2nd in our Vapour Trail Series and we’re proud to be able to show it to you now.
The last month has been a busy one, and we haven’t had a chance to empty the cards and sort out the shots from the rammed to the rafters and spilling in to the streets Tizerone Show at Pure Evil Gallery.
When it comes to London graffiti, few people can claim the kind of love and respect that Tizer gets from the scene, he has less beef than a Romanian horse burger, and deservedly so. Aside from being the nicest guy in graffiti (with the biggest smile), the man puts in work! He’s constantly up no matter the weather, during the recent cold snap who else was braving the brutal wind whipping through Leake street tunnel.
No surprise then that when the EndoftheLine family turned the corner on to Leonard Street we were greeted by the biggest turnout Pure Evil have ever had for an opening. The crowd was a who’s who of London graffiti and urban culture more generally, from the old to the new school everyone turned out to show their support.
The art speaks for itself – traditional graffiti meets gallery show without aesthetic compromise. Check out the flicks below for a taste of the man’s talent.
Towards the end of the event the building opposite got blapped with silver marker by many of those in attendance including a girl of about 10 atop her friend’s shoulders. A beautiful moment of generational torch passing or a perfect poster for those decrying a ‘Broken Britain’ – you can guess which side of that fence we’re on.
Probably the best way to sum up what Tizer is all about is the happy conclusion of the only thing to mar the event – one of the smaller canvases being stolen straight off the wall. Foolishly the thieves in question went straight in to Dragon Bar and starting boasting about their trophy. The bar manager knowing Tizer as a regular and knowing the gallery opening was that night put two and two together and managed to grab it from them before they ran. When Tizer came in for after show drinks he was presented with it and promptly donated it to the wall of Dragon bar in thanks. Tells you everything really doesn’t it.
Here at Endoftheline we’ve just received our Futurism 2.0 book courtesy of Gamma Proforma – It’s here and it’s jam packed full of goodness! The book has been released in limited edition (only 250!) in conjunction with the Futurism 2.0 exhibition that was held in October last year at Londons Blackall Studios. Artists involved included She One, O.Two and Nawer to name a few.
With the full roster of artists all featured in the book, we’re presented with a multitude of information, an informed and well written introduction and heaps of fine imagery for your perusal. The publication is a bookshelf winner for graffiti lovers, creatives, and anyone who likes cool stuff.
Futurism 2.0 – What’s it about?
The book explores the evolution of abstract urban art, and looks at our 24/7 creative society. Art today is evolving, inspiring and becoming increasingly unlimited – we’re taken on a journey through a fine selection of multidisciplinary contemporary artists who are pushing the boundaries in their creative practice. The creative revolution is upon us…
Whilst flicking through the book myself, I was drawn to the work of Mark Lyken, Christopher Derek Bruno and Graeme Turnbull AKA Stendec. Having written about Lyken before, his work was easily recognizable and equally evoked a feeling of wanting to jump right into his dreamy space mania. Bruno’s art is the kind of thing I’d like to see on my wall at home, and he is also a lover of fine furnishing. Stendec creates amazing geometric forms with a hint of destruction – nice.
The publication is a limited edition of only 250 copies – To buy the book visit the Gamma Proforma shop. There is also a Futurism 2.0 catalogue available to buy here.
Probs and Izer have been at it again, bringing the pain, spraying in faces and bringing down pigeons – The Attack of the Moloids 2013 !
The underworld subterranean dwellers crawl, lunge and look their ugliest in the raging fight against the mighty Red Hulk and Spiderman.
Located in a Hackney car park, the piece is the first of the year from a series of new works from these two excellent street artists. We are thoroughly intrigued as to to what other creatures are lurking amongst our streets. Due to the car park where this mural is being gated up good and proper, we’re here to give you the gory details – We hope you enjoy. Spot the Moloid who holds the spray can the wrong way. Toy!
