In 1970s New York Street Art begun to show signs of promise. Artists like Jenny Holzer made the city her canvas by “confronting the passer-by with enigmatic texts in places where they would have expected to see commercial messages, so reversing the function of advertisements.”-The Gaurdian The 80s brought with them the influential Keith Haring. Known for his simple, powerful and distinct images, Haring enveloped the New York subway stations with chalk on blacked out billboards in a unique cartoon like style that has since become recognizable around the world. His memory lives on in those he influenced; you can find some of his iconic wall stickers on here too.
Then with the 90’s came Espo. He brought with him vernacular sign writing and created a huge impact through his top to bottom letters painted on shop front shutters. The noughties continued to bring new and exciting talent and saw street art erupt with many names taking to the street to embrace their freedom to express.
2011 has been no exception. Take three in particular. Italian street artist Blu, Australian Rone and Irish, Dublin based ADW, three separate artists brightening up various public spaces in numerous countries, all of them brilliant.
Let’s start with Blu. His fame began in 1999 thanks to a series of illicit graffiti painted in the historical centre and suburbs of Bologna. Early technique was limited to spray paint, though in 2001 he began using house paint with rollers mounted on top of telescopic sticks. It allowed him a greater surface area and an ability to create larger more intense pieces. Huge human figures began appearing on Bologna’s streets.
Art galleries began to notice him around 2004, eager for him to take part in shows one-man or otherwise. Blu however for the most part declined, attempting to limit his presence within the ‘official art world.’ The works of Blu can “appear abrupt because they are derived from the free creativity of an artist who has decided to occupy a position outside the sheltered field of art.” It can disappear just as magically as it appears, perhaps ruined by time and weather or covered by other paintings by Blu himself; for the most part however, they are “erased by authorities in the name of tidiness.” Of late Blu has been paying much attention to Buenos Aires, Argentina. One of the latest in his politically charged murals displays figures roasting over an open pit of burning money, it looks like 2012 will see plenty more from Blu.
Australian born ‘Rone’ (“just a nickname that stuck”) is one of the best known and recognised street artists in Melbourne. Renowned for his stylised images of girls’ faces he is one of the original members of Everfresh Studios. His ‘girls’ travel with him and can thus be seen on the streets of New York, L.A, London Tokyo and Barcelona. He is one of the only australian artists remaining from the stencil boom of the early 2000’s that is still consistently getting his work out there. His recent show in June 2011, ‘L’inconnue de la rue’ was loosely based on the story of L’inconnue de la seine, a French drowning / suicide in the late 1800’s popularised by the victim’s calming angelic face. “I paint because I love it, and it adds character to any inanimate object. Whether it is a wall or a footpath. It brings the streets to life.”
L’inconnue de la rue opened at Backwoods gallery and was a massive hit with every painting being sold out before the exhibition had even officially opened.
Dublin based ADW is another artist making our streets a more interesting place through his unique style which sees Irish humour and pop culture combine the result being some iconic pieces of art. “Inspired by the freedom and deviance of the street art he saw every day on his way to the city, he began experimenting with stencils and spray paint- sometimes to express his frustrations, sometimes just for his own amusement.” This year saw his second solo show “Pricks and Mortar” which took place last October at South Studios and summed up perfectly the post Celtic Tiger hangover. His art is laced with strong political and humorous undertones, and not only is it brilliantly done; it’s for the people. ADW has an obvious talent and I’m pretty sure we will see much more from him this year. “What better way to poke the establishment in the eye than to send up the powerful with a piece of street art, combining beauty with belligerence.”- ADW
Each of these artists has an enviable talent, lets hope 2012 sees plenty more from these guys, and the new artists taking to the streets each day.
Sources:-
www.irishstreetart.com
www.blublu.org
www.r-o-n-e.com
www.adwart.com
www.theguardian.co.uk
www.stylesiren.ie
