Symbolism in the Streets: The Work of Sara Conti

Introducing the symbolic, feminine street art of Belgian artist Sara Conti. Drawing inspiration from Mexican muralists, Giotto, tribal art and the Baroque period, her work focuses on the image of matriochkas (Russian nesting dolls), bringing an unapologetically feminine voice to a traditionally male-dominated genre.

www.saraconti.com

Rad Life, Shitty Camera

We sent out a couple cases of shitty disposable cameras to group of super-talented artists. We didn't give them any guidelines, only one rule: no dick pics. We had no idea what to expect but we've gotten some gems out of the project, so we've decided to share them with you, our friends, right here on this blog. 

We're kicking things off with a bit of Chitown pride, viewing the world of Chicago-based stencil artist David Soukup through a shitty disposable camera. 

Photos have not been altered in any way.

Opening April 26: David Soukup - Perennial Escapism

Vertical Escapism (2013), 40" x 40", Spray Paint Stencil on Mixed Media 

Maxwell Colette Gallery is pleased to announce Perennial Escapism, a solo exhibition from Chicago-based artist David Soukup. The show will run from April 26, 2013 through June 1, 2013, with an opening reception on Friday, April 26, from 6pm until 10pm. Perennial Escapism presents a collection of richly textured mixed media paintings on wood, with imagery derived from the artist’s own photographs of early 20th century wrought iron fire escapes in Chicago.

Soukup’s paintings combine visual elements of graphic design and collage with the tactile elements of paint and reclaimed materials to create decidedly urban motifs. He hand-cuts the elaborate stencils, some up to four feet in length, that are utilized to create his paintings. The resulting latticework of iron bars and shadows echoes the visual experience of his everyday life, and reflects his obsession with meticulous detail.

“This work represents a personal 'escape' so to speak” says Soukup. “I went back to what first made me passionate. I drew inspiration not just from the city imagery itself, but from the textures, the grit, and the distress that makes up a city. Perennial Escapism marks the beginning of a new direction, one I've never been more excited to pursue.”

Escape No. 5 (2013), 30" x 30", Spray Paint Stencil on Mixed Media

David Soukup’s artwork has been shown in Chicago, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, and internationally in Adelaide and Melbourne. His paintings have been featured on Juxtapoz, Hi-Fructose and Artist-a-Day. This is Soukup’s first show with Maxwell Colette Gallery. More about David Soukup can be found on his website www.soukupvisual.com. 

This Dude is Hairier than Kate Moss

We've seen some incredible, avant garde art come out of Paris over the last 150 years: from Impressionism and Surrealism to Yves Klein and JR, but none of it has prepared us for the comic art hybrids that have been appearing on Parisian streets as of late.  Ladies and gentlemen,  meet Hairier than Kate Moss.

When first crossed paths with HtKM (as he likes to be known) at the end of 2012 when we noticed his "Tooning" series.  We were blown away by his ability to seamlessly combine iconic characters, creating surreal, sometimes disturbing images that echo the fragmented consciousness of popular culture. Simultaneously familiar yet unknown, these absurdist collages exude a freshness that one seldom encounters.  They are like noting else out there.

HtKM has recently begun working on some indoor projects as well, like these hand-finished mixed media on canvas pieces.  We see big things in the future for this cutting edge Parisian street artist and his unique cast of characters.

For more info on HtKM, or to see more of his available works, check out maxwellcolette.com.

7 Questions: A.CE

London-based artist A.CE is about to make his American debut with PLANET OF THE A.CE, a solo show that will feature both his classic and current designs. MCG chatted with him about his roots, his thoughts on street art capitalists and his ever-looping playlist. 

How did you get into street art?

I got into it through skating. It started with seeing tags and graffiti around about '89. I didn't  have my own proper name until about '95. I always loved skate graphics and as I continued skating over the years I just got more and more interested in the graf and art side of the scene - it went from there really. Tags and throws became tagged stickers, which then became stenciled or more graphical. Eventually pasteups were the natural progression. Things kept evolving with other influences coming into play until I found a style and a medium I was happy with.

Who are your influences?
At a certain point around the end of the 90's I started paying less attention to graffiti and more to other work that was going on. I was into what people like Fairey, Kinsey and TLP were doing - this was big impact work which really resonated with me. I started experimenting with simple bold b+w pasteups and grew things from there, taking inspiration over the years from everything else I like: pop art, Dadaism, graphic design, skate art and collage. So really it's anyone and everyone from these movements who continue to influence what I do - Vernon Courtland Johnson, Haring, Basquiat, Peter Blake, Warhol, Cost & Revs, Fergadelic, Sister Corita, Max Ernst, etc. I'm really inspired by John Baldessari - this idea that you could manipulate found or familiar images using the information that's already stored in people's 
brains really made sense to me.

Ever been caught? Any close calls?
I try as much as I can to avoid those close calls!

What music are you into right now?
It's always a real random mix and it evolves. 6 Music plays out a lot of the time - good for picking up on new music. Otherwise just regular stuff, punk, 90's hip hop, prog rock, 90's dance, folk, anything. I recently listened to a lot of Dylan, Viv Albertine and The Cocteau Twins. Staples in the studio would just be stuff like The Sex Pistols, GZA, PIL, Black Sabbath, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Bjork, NAS and Judas Priest. I'll often play a new song to death until I'm sick of it. Cosmic Jugalbandi by Suns of Arqa was one of those. It's one I like to end the night on!!

What are your thoughts on so-called "stolen" street art being sold for profit, like what we recently saw attempted with the Banksy pieces?
I don't know what arrangement these guys had with the wall owner here so I can't really comment on this particular piece, but I guess its nothing new - it happened with Basquiat and Haring back in the day. If people know the value of something, it's going to happen - right up and down the chain. People will always flock to wherever there's money to be made. To a certain extent its fair game, if you put something on the street, its out of your control after that - that's part of the journey of the piece. That said, most street art like this is better being left where it is - who wants a caged animal? At the end of the day it was a gift to the public and that should probably be respected.

How do you respond to people who compare your work to Bäst?
We might play some similar instruments but we don't write the same songs.


What's the future look like for you? What?s A.CE's next move?
I have a few other projects in the pipeline for later this year - festivals and shows in the UK, as well as some print releases both in the UK and in Canada. I'm building a new bigger studio in my back yard and I'm just going to keep developing stuff and hopefully making more work.

A.CE's solo show, PLANET OF THE A.CE runs March 16, 2013 - April 20, 2013 at Maxwell Colette Gallery with opening reception on Saturday, March 16, from 6pm until 10pm. 

Opening March 16: PLANET OF THE A.CE

Maxwell Colette Gallery is pleased to present PLANET OF THE A.CE, a solo exhibition of works on paper from London-based artist A.CE. The show will run from March 16, 2013 through April 20, 2013, with an opening reception on Saturday, March 16, from 6pm until 10pm. This show is graphic artist A.CE's American debut, and will feature a selection of hand-printed, unique works on paper showcasing both classic and current designs.

Colette Miller Is Spreading Her Wings

Painter Colette Miller is spreading her wings, and the public is getting into it. 

Since summer 2012, She has been painting angel wings on walls as part of an interactive street art project. Her wings have been photographed in Ventura and LA in the states, and in the slums outside of Nairobi, where she traveled to film her documentary “Forget the Children.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7g2cgF1Pjk

Miller says she was stunned by the reaction at first. “I was amazed [at] the first set I tagged, during a street fair. My friends and I watched as thousands of people line up and take turns, posing with the wings. It was all walks, ages, religions, races. It was cool.” Arguably the most interesting point is that people inherently know what to do with them. “Every time I put them up, people, on their own, unguided...find their way in front of them and take their photos.”

She has plans to hit Japan this May, but says she’ll be putting them up wherever she goes. Now anytime Colette Miller hits the streets, an angel gets its wings.

'STUCK-UP' spotlight: Thomas Billings 'TV Skull'

Back in the early 1990s there was no internet, photographs were shot on film that had to be developed, MTV showed nothing but videos, and Thomas Billings' tv skull owned Wicker Park.  It was everywhere and on everything.  You couldn't get a beer or take a piss in that Chicago neighborhood without seeing the tv skull staring back multiple times over the course of your evening.  And the skull's reach extended well beyond the Bucktown / Wicker Park art hipster scene.  You were as likely to stumble across the image in a Wrigleyville sports bar or a downtown museum as you were in an underground gallery or a coffee shop.

Fast forward to 2012.  Thomas Billings has returned to Chicago, and with him has returned that tv skull.  The image, currently reconstituted as a sticker, was included in Maxwell Colette Gallery's show 'STUCK-UP: A Selected History of Alternative and Popular Culture Curated By DB Burkeman.' where it was featured in a site specific installation.  Recently we sat down with Billings and asked him about the origins of the tv skull image.



So lets get straight to it. When did you start doing the television skeletons? 

In the 80s when I was living in Chicago. The idea for the television skeletons came from Gunter Resse, a tattoo artist who did time in prison. He had a bunch of prison tattoos that I thought were really amazing. All of his tattoos were done by using makeshift tattoo gun constructed from a Sony Walkman – these were common ways to give tattoos in prison back then. So I asked him to give me a tattoo and I just came up with that design. 


How did you meet Gunther Reese? 

I was in an art show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and we were both staying with the same friend. That is when I became intrigued by his brut tattoos. 


That tattoo that Gunter gave you is the source of the image you are known for putting all over Chicago.  The versions I remember seeing were done with a custom made rubber stamp, but initially you did them with a black crayon? 

Yes... everything I did then was hand written, which evolved into the stamp. I drew the television freehand from 1985 to 1995 and put it on practically every parking meter in Chicago and places you wouldn’t normally see like underneath toilet bowls. In 1995 it became my signature stamp on other artwork I created. 


Besides being your personal signature for your fine art, it also was incorporated into graphics that graced the cover of publications like New City and was later used by  Burkhardt Leitner Constructiv in Germany as part of their 'ART-stamps' program.  Before these sanctioned projects appeared, where would one have found your skull tags?



Edges of doors, cop cars, bars – everywhere really...  I think Ed Pachke’s studio still has a stamp. You might also be able to find some still at the MCA in NYC and the MET. 

Television Skeleton 'ART-stamp' from Tom Billings' archive.

So way before Bansky decided it would be fun to put a guerilla installation in a museum you were already doing it.  And you’ve seen how everything has changed through the years. There is definitely a larger community routing for street art – unsanctioned specifically.   


Street art and graffiti art evolved in a way because now people want it more, they accept it and it is recognized. Back then I think street art had more of an impact because less people were doing it. My work [then] was never about being a pioneer for graffiti or street art yet people used to cut the dry wall around my stamps [to remove them] from public spaces. 

So it had basically become a sentiment of their own nostalgia? 

Yes. This kind of art is just like any other. It becomes a timeline for people... 

DB Burkeman and Tom Billings sitting in front of Billings' installation for 'STUCK-UP'.  Photo by Sophia Nihal

If you would like some Thomas Billings 'Television Skeleton' stickers, email us your shipping info and we'll send you some.  The one thing we ask is that we'd love to see where you end up sticking them...

Street Art on The Simpsons...Again.

The Simpsons turns its poignant satirical eye towards the world of Street Art in an episode that is scheduled to air March 4th, 2010.  In  Episode 15 – “Exit Though The Kwik-E-Mart”, Bart and Milhouse get caught by a posse of celebrated street artists (Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Kenny Scharf and Robbie Conal; who all do their own voices for the episode) while putting up images of Homer.  Instead of discouraging the illegal activities, according to Fairey's blog: "to Bart’s surprise, they invite him to exhibit his satirical artwork in his very own gallery show."  Given the title of the episode, and the history of past work with that other high profile street artist, we're going to keep our eyes peeled for Banksy references.

Let the whining over the death of street art commence... now.

Stuck-Up Spotlight: The Work of Chris Mendoza

On The Air (2011) by Chris Mendoza.  Ink, Collage, Stickers on Paper.

" ... By drawing, visualizing, and composing abstract concepts in my mind, and on paper I am reminded of my daily habits, a common thread of the human condition."

New York-based artist Chris Mendoza's is fascinated with architecture and physical structures. If you are an art history guru you'll notice strong influences by artists such as Kandinsky, Miro and Frank Lloyd Wright. Mendoza's sticker collages are on display at Maxwell Colette Gallery and are part of the current exhibition entitled, STUCK UP: A Selected History of Alternative and Popular Culture Told Though Stickers. Curated by DB Burkeman.

Hot Pink (detail) (2012) by Chris Mendoza.  Ink, Collage, Stickers on Paper.

Mendoza's collage-work repurposes stickers that are cut up, fragmented and placed into layers. They layer work looks almost mosaic-like and each panel is arranged slightly different with subtle references to landscape and unknown figuration. Rich color and texture is incorporated into his work through the use of materials including everything from mixed media, acrylic paint, sumi inks, enamel, watercolor paints and other various inks.

He incorporates such a graceful progression of movement with each layer of fragmented sticker and this alone allows your imagination to run wild – you could spend hours pondering the abstraction. But the biggest take away from Chris Mendoza's collage-work is that there is an underlying history being preserved. Between the vintage-like quality of the paper and the reverence that Mendoza gives to his own cultural influences, these works have a seemingly righteous nature about them.

Time Changes (2012)  by Chris Mendoza.  Ink, Collage, Stickers on Paper.

View more of Mendoza's art on his website: chrismendoza.carbonmade.com 

Go to maxwellcolette.com to view these and other sticker collage works by Chris Mendoza, or to inquire about pricing and availability.

opening on January 20th: STUCK UP!

Maxwell Colette Gallery and DB Burkeman are excited to present STUCK UP: A Selected History of Alternative and Popular Culture Told Though Stickers. This traveling exhibition, curated by Burkeman from his extensive personal collection, provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore the expanding role that stickers have played in popular culture over the past four decades. The collection focuses on Music (including Punk Rock, Hip Hop, and Rave Culture), Skateboard Culture, Political Campaigns, Branding, and Culture Jamming. STUCK UP... features stickers from Street Art legends (Banksy, Barry McGee, Shepard Fairey, Space Invader, KAWS), and internationally lauded contemporary artists not necessarily known for stickers (Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Tom Sachs) shown side by side with anonymous stickers peeled from the streets of NYC.

STUCK UP... will kick off its run in Chicago with two days of special events. On Friday, January 20th Maxwell Colette Gallery and DB Burkeman will host the exhibition’s opening reception from 6pm - 10pm. Beverages will be provided courtesy of Modelo.  Then on Saturday, January 21st the gallery will host a book signing from 1pm - 3pm featuring DB Burkeman and the celebrated photographer, author, and self- described sticker thief Martha Cooper.  Coffee and baked goods at the signing will come courtesy of Sweet Cakes Bakery and Metropolis Coffee Company.  Burkeman and Cooper will be signing copies of Burkeman's book Stickers: From Punk Rock to Contemporary Art  which is available in Chicago at Quimby's.

Concurrent with these happenings, the gallery will present a selection of sticker-based collage work from the ever-talented Chris Mendoza, and will showcase an incarnation of Slap Happy , the charity sticker invitational that made its debut as a part of SCOPE 2011 in Miami.  Slap Happy features stickers created by an international group of 75 visual communicators. This will be the only place outside of SCOPE where the limited edition stickers and signed black books from the project will be available to view and purchase in person.

Mark your calendars now and be sure to join us for this incredible weekend of sticker-related festivities!

why we love ART THOUGHTZ...

New Work From Banksy + FAQ's

There has been much speculation about whether or not new work from Banksy has been popping up in Britain over the last few weeks.  Starting back in November there were the monopoly themed 'Occupy' installation and the 'shop till you drop' wall piece, among others.  Over the last week we have seen pictures of two very similar miniature crop duster planes spraying hearts (or doing crazy loops?) painted in London and Liverpool.  Over the weekend the signage above was spotted in London as well.

Now we have confirmation of the authenticity of at least some of these works in the form of pictures posted in the newly updated 'outside' section on Banksy's website.  Also posted on the site are the following FAQ's with Mr. B's informative responses.  Who knew that he liked Käthe Kollwitz and copied 3D from Massive Attack?!!


Frequently asked questions


Is it cheating to use stencils?
Stencils are good for two reasons;
One - they’re quick ; two - they annoy idiots.


Why are you such a sell out?
I wish I had a pound for every time someone asked me that. 


Is Banksy just a big brand these days? Do you even paint your own pictures?
It’s not supposed to be a brand, which is why people in advertising think it’s such a good one. I paint it all myself unless its illegal, in which case I’ve never seen any of it before, your honour. 


Is Exit Through the Gift Shop real?
Yes. 


Are you still friends with Mr. Brainwash?
I like to think so. When I asked him what he thought about the film he said “This is a cult movie, this is a classic movie, this movie stands alone – like The Godfather.” 


Did you paint over Robbo’s piece and have him beaten up?
His piece in Camden had been dogged for more than five years by the time I painted that spot. It’s a real shame about his accident and I hope he fully recovers. I would never deliberately cuss Robbo – he’s a graffiti legend.
And he’s bigger than me. Click Here


Did you rip off Blek le Rat?
No, I copied 3D from Massive Attack. He can actually draw. 


Do you need an intern?
No thanks. 


Why are you so annoying?
It’s not all my fault, sometimes they make it up - I’ve never vandalized a war memorial, painted Kate Moss’s kitchen or visited the Playboy club with Ashley Cole wearing a skull mask. 


What artists do you rate?
Käthe Kollwitz is my favourite. Partly because her drawing style is so beautiful, and partly because she thought being an artist was self-indulgent crap and became a doctor in an orphanage instead. 


Can you donate a picture for my charity auction?
What are you? Blind? In which case maybe. I mostly support projects working to restore sight and prevent eye disease. Or as I like to call it ‘expanding the market’. 

Keep an eye on Banksy's site and The Lonely Villein's Flickr for further developments.

Welcome to Miami

Don't Fret sent us some visual postcards from his recent trip down to Miami...

While in The Sunshine State, he collaborated on a wall with another of our favorites, Hebru Brantley, who is part of our current 'Text and Drugs and Rock & Roll' show and who faced some unexpected drama of his own (as captured by local news) .  Absolutely crazy!

You can read more about Don't Fret's recent solo show on Fatcap and on Flavorpill, and view available work on maxwellcolette.com.

opening December 2nd: Text and Drugs and Rock & Roll

Maxwell Colette Gallery's next show, Text and Drugs and Rock & Roll, runs from December 2nd until January 7th, 2012.  The show is will feature work from an international group of over forty artists who work in a variety of different media.  "Don't expect a dry, academic exploration of text driven art that requires a lot of reading," cautions Gallery Director Oliver Hild.  "TDRR is going to be the opposite...  It's visceral, full of equal parts swagger and stagger."

The opening reception for Text and Drugs and Rock & Roll will take place on Friday, December 2nd from 6pm - 9pm.  Many of the artists will be present at the opening which Hild promises will feature "compelling art, cascading beverages and copious swag."

The list of participating artists includes: Abe Lincoln Jr, Antonio Martinez, Bask, Bill Connors, Brian Knowles, Brooks Golden, Chad Davis, Clown Soldier, Colt Bowden, Dain, Derek Erdman, Don't Fret, El Celso, Elik, Emily Cunningham, Faust, Fred Litch, Glenn Wexler, Goons, Greg Mike, Hebru Brantley, Infinity, Instigator, Joe Padilla, Klepto, Lloyd Patterson, Mark O'Brien, Mike Murdock, Mike Perry, Nice-One, Posterboy, Priest, Ron Copeland, RP Reeson, Ryan Duggan, Scott Albrecht, Sebastian Napoli, Stikman, Telepath UK, TEWZ, Thomas Billings, Tim Pigott, Victor Kaifas, Weed Wolf, Zero, and Zissou Tasseff-Elenkoff.

Billy Craven has been posting sneak peeks of the work on his Flickr and BLAH+BLAH+BLOG.  Check out the amazing life-sized Les Paul style guitar crafted entirely from corrugated cardboard and beer cases that Mark O'Brien is sending.  It's amazing!

Peep the TDR&R event page on Facebook.