Street art can take on many a form. Traditionally developed in public spaces, perhaps the medium of aerosol painted stencilled guerrilla art may be first image that pops into mind. Contemporary street artists are changing the perceptions of the artform everyday and the stigma of vandalism that once stood is being broken down piece by piece. There’s something rather special about street art style and in particular large mural pieces. Perhaps it’s the size of space or the freedom to create an artwork that’s organic and evolves within that space? All of which brings me on to the latest work of London based artist Luke Embden.
Luke’s work stems from a passion for graffiti, Pop Art flavours and freeform typography. His style is extremely bold and has a spontaneous flow to it yet retains a clean aesthetic throughout its multiple layers of lines, shapes and illustrations. Using a variety of mediums he experiments with screen printing and risography to create the stunning final output.
Having worked for a host of clients since graduating in 2005 his latest mural work is for beverage company Desperados, implementing lemons, limes, tequila leafs and sunset; all elements that sum up what the Desperados brand means to its fan base.
The most impressive element of Luke’s work seems to be just how well his ideas flow and how his style can be used in multiple applications. Impressive work.
Whether you agree with street art or not, there is no denying that the movement is creating waves with visually stimulating adornment of our concrete and brick cities. Even more importantly, freedom of speech has found a contemporary niche; encourages a broader audience to question the reality of our fishbowl urbanization through art.
For some artist whom have been elevated to an iconic status amongst art critics and collectors –such as London’s own Banksy– the streets have become a platform to raise awareness of social and political issues. A contemporary hybrid of graffiti, it finds its origins in Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire and Urban Gangs to mark territories or broadcast social and political views. Historical cave drawings throughout the world suggest an inherent desire to communicate through art as far back as up to 35,000 years.
While there is no question that illegal street art is vandalism, according modern artist Bansky “You live in the city and all the time there are signs telling you what to do and billboards trying to sell you something. I always felt that it was all right to answer back a little bit, I suppose. That the city shouldn’t just be a one-way conversation. ”
What do you think? And although it might upset Banksy, you can brief your other commercial artwork requirements now!
The txtBOMBER is a one-hand-guerilla-tool from Felix Vorreiter – a machine not much bigger than an iron – that generates political statements on the fly and immediately prints them on any flat surface. If you feel you are part of the modern voiceless generation; the txtBOMBER is the perfect tool for you! Just switch it on! It’s powered by a strong battery and all you do is move it along a wall. It’s that easy? The txtBOMBER has seven build-in pens to “print” the letters and a micro-controller-brain (Arduino), no need for a computer or any other brain. Oh and it speaks german at the moment
Faile keep upping their game BIG TIME. Street Art doesn’t get much better than this. For Portugal Arte 10, they have built an ancient temple in the middle of a public square in Lisboa. Check out the pictures, this is awesome…
If you know anything about street art you’ll be familiar with the mastery of blu or you won’t forget him now. The Italian has created BIG BANG BIG BOOM; an unscientific point of view on the beginning and evolution of life … and how it could end. The wall-painted animation is full of great ideas and it shows an incredible amount of hard work and imagination. Enjoy the video. The quality and innovation of blu continues and so does his legacy as one of the best street artists of all time. Below the video I’ve also put an interview to give you more insight into the man, artist and his work.
Kolahstudio: Do you live in Italy? Would you please Describe the Street Art Scene in your City? And when you started your Career?
Blu: Yes I live in Italy. I started with graffiti 10 years ago.What you can see on the street are mostly graffiti pieces and tags, graffiti are almost everywhere in Italy, you can find it even in small towns. In the bigger cities there are also other kind of street art and people experimenting different languages and using different media. On one side there is a good quality and many original ideas, on the other side “street art” is a fashion product so most of the people are just doing it because it is “cool”, hope this “street art” game will end soon.
KS: Are your works illegal Or you always get permission to do your walls?
Blu: In the past I was working almost only illegally, going out during the night or painting abandoned building, there are also many occupied places where you can be free and paint what you want. Then in the last year more and more permissions and commissions are coming so I often work in a official way.
KS: Any influences? Do you like any Especial Gener on visual Art or any Particular Visual Artist?
Blu: I started doing art thanks to graffiti and comics so that’s my main background but I like art in general. I have a special passion for animation works.
KS: It seems you are in a Great travel-Megunica- across latin America .Why did you choose These Countries? and how you see people there?
Blu: We where interested in searching for public art, especially street painting, in those countries that have such a strong wall painting tradition. Especially in central America, painting walls is still a common work, it is used mainly for advertising because is still cheaper than printing billboards, in Europe this thing has disappeared in the past century.
We were sure to find a perfect place for painting, and that is what we actually found.
KS: What are your Basic Materials for wall paintings and how do you paint that big?
Blu: I basically use just black and white water based paint, a roller and some brushes, I draw using a long pole with a brush on the top, if the wall is really big I use a scaffold or maybe a mechanical platform.
KS: Do you make money out of Your Art? And are you ok with this situation?
Blu: At the moment I can live with my work. I sell some drawings and I make the money I need to go on with my projects.
I try to avoid other kind of works such as commissions from companies and advertising, which is something i don’t really like.
I’m not economically rich but I’m billionaire in happiness .
KS: How do you see the World today? any personal viewpoints or thoughts you have?(i think you show this in your paintings but better if you can talk about it for us)
Blu: You’ re right, my painting are reflecting more than what I could say with words. Personally I try live without making violence on anyone. I see two really dangerous things in the world: fear and rage. Everyone can be easily controlled through these emotions, especially in this historical moment.
KS: Do you have any advice for young Street Artists especially in places where the movement has just began?
Blu: Street art doesn’t exist, there is just you and the world outside. Do what you like in the best way and think about what you are doing.
KS: Thanks a lot For putting your time to answer Our questions.any Final comments or Words?
Blu: Don’t lose your time reading these last words.
This delicious mural by Steve … saddens me. Why can’t the UK liberate itself for such spray can delights. As Boris Johnson tries to ban protesting and a new breed of police dog is trained to sniff out graffiti materials, one must ask, how free and liberal is this conservative jungle?
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Street art can take on many a form. Traditionally developed in public spaces, perhaps the medium of aerosol painted stencilled guerrilla art may be first image that pops into mind. Contemporary street artists are changing the perceptions of the artform everyday and the stigma of vandalism that once stood is being broken down piece by piece. There’s something rather special about street art style and in particular large mural pieces. Perhaps it’s the size of space or the freedom to create an artwork that’s organic and evolves within that space? All of which brings me on to the latest work of London based artist Luke Embden.
