VHILS (AKA Alexandre Farto), Scratching The Surface at Lazarides this Summer

The first UK solo show from Vhils, AKA Alexandre Farto (b.1987), features a series of new works inspired by his native city of Lisbon at a time of revolution.

I love Lazarides Gallery. I feel that the gallery takes chances with artists, and shows the type of art that has momentum and a wider meaning. Being the first gallery to show Farto’s work in the UK, especially with Farto being only 22 is a risk, particularly in this economy when galleries need to be selling artwork. So – I am even more inspired and impressed with Lazarides. Outsiders, compiled by Steve Lazarides was a fantastic collection on urban art, have you picked up that book yet?

Farto’s show, entitled Scratching the Surface, reflects on revolution as a time when walls turn into instruments of communication and hope for the masses, and the remnants of which become a decaying playground for this young artist as he searches for his place and identity.

By re-contextualising the urban setting, Vhils explores and questions the many dimensions of cities and their inhabitants in a series of playful works. Focusing on the people that inhabit the artist’s multicultural environment Vhils draws attention to the layers that underlie it. A set of portraits of unknown faces use unconventional techniques and materials; acid and bleach eat into surfaces to expose the layers beneath, the act of destruction becoming an act of creation, posters that exemplify a consumer society are subtly converted into objects poignantly celebrating humankind.

In his street work he discards posters, metal and paper and comes face to face with the rawness of the naked wall. He continues his celebration of the humanity underlying the urban canvas, this time by scratching beautiful portraits directly onto its walls. Vhils has exhibited in major European cities as well as in the USA, and most recently he was invited to take part in the widely acclaimed ‘Tunnel 228’ show in London's Waterloo.

The exhibition will coincide with the launch of his new book: Scratching the Surface, the show continues until 1 August 2009. www.lazinc.com

Image credit: (c) Alexandre Farto

Argentina's Gustavo Ortiz at the Pure Evil Gallery, London

Contemporary visual art takes many forms - the aritsts' mission today in infused with defining that concept.

Gustavo Ortiz is one of Argentina's rising stars. His work is influenced by colonial art (See Fiona Foley - a perspective from Australia) as well as native indigenous artistic practices. Ortiz’s paintings are distinctly Latin American in their hybrid blend of both European and South American heritage. By using collage as his primary medium, Ortiz combines the whimsical elements of Naïve art with the unexpected juxtapositions of Surrealism – creating a wonderful atmosphere of surprise, charm and simplicity.

"Metamorphosis" is the artist’s fist solo-show outside Argentina. He explains the show as "a careful description of the world, when our human prototypes went through a complete change of physical form and substance..."

Viewers are taken on a journey through Ortiz’s universe populated by disproportionate human figures, animals, and objects, that tightly occupy reduced imaginary landscapes. While Ortiz’s paintings draw on the native myths and legends of Latin America, they also posses a decorative quality and tactile texture of the compositions that resonate with traces of indigenous art and craft.

“The strong use of colour and the patterns of clearly defined shapes afforded by the medium of collage give an air of childlike naivety and understated humour to my paintings which offer narratives of the wonder and enchantment of human experience.” states Gustavo Ortiz.

"Metamorphosis" runs until 2 August at the Pure Evil Gallery, 108 Leonard Street, London, EC2a 4XS
www.pureevil.eu

Image credit: Gustavo Ortiz

Inkygoodness 3, Wonderland Exhibition showcases the work of new and emerging talent from the UK and beyond.

Inkygoodness is a Bristol-Birmingham based duo that organise exhibitions providing a unique platform for emerging talent to showcase their work alongside established artists.

Inviting you on a journey into Wonderland this September, into a bright bubblegum world of quirky characters, eclectic landscapes and curious narratives, they will showcase the creations of 30 international illustrators, artists and image-makers, this new group show will display a diverse selection of artworks including wall murals, drawings, installations and framed prints by some of the hottest emerging talents working in the industry today.

Aesthetica will be partnering again with Illustrative Berlin. Click here to read an article about “Defining the Art of Illustration”. Illustration has, indeed, become an art form in its own right.

Inspired by the theme of Wonderland, artists’ work will bring a visual retreat of fun, and frivolity to Birmingham’s creative quarter. The Vaad Gallery at the Custard Factory will play host to the Wonderland creation providing a platform for new and emerging talent to exhibit together with established artists and illustrators.


In 2008, Inkygoodness hosted their first art exhibition at a small gallery on Gloucester Road in Bristol. This venture inspired a successful group show later the same year: Inkygoodness 2 - Hopes & Fears, showcasing the work of 16 illustrators, artists and designers based in and around the South West.

Inkygoodness are steadily gaining recognition and plan to continue organising exhibitions and events throughout the U.K, to fulfil their ambition to offer a unique opportunity for professional development through self-promotion, collaboration and networking. Their collaborators include illustrators and designers such as Andy Council, Dave Bain, Vicky Newman (House of Aces), Mike O’Shea, Themlot Collective, Monsters monsters and DocVek.

Inkygoodness can confirm involvement from the following artists in the Wonderland show:

Tixe Art (UK) Dave Bain (Bristol) Louise Boutler (UK) Gemma Correll (UK) Simon Corry (Falmouth) Pascal Cuttoli (France) Camelia Dorbin (Falmouth) Chris Dorning (Preston) Jennifer Dubet (London) Adi Gilbert (Bristol) Adam Hancher (UK) Lisa Hassell (Bristol) Kate Hindley (Birmingham) I heart Joan (Birmingham) Yee Ting Kuit (Birmingham) Simon David Mills (Bristol) Felt Mistress & Jonathan Edwards (UK) George Mitchell (UK) Vicky Newman (UK) Sarah Ray (Birmingham) Karoline Rerrie (UK) Juan Salas (Argentina) Mike O' Shea (Bristol) David Shillinglaw (London) Steven Silverwood (UK) Diggy Smerdon (Falmouth) Amy Timms (Bristol) Michelle Turton (Birmingham) Simon Wild (Suffolk) Mark Wilkinson (UK) DocVek (London)

It’s very exciting to see so many artists collaborating together. Click here to read another blog on artists run spaces and projects.

Exhibition details
Inkygoodness 3: Wonderland
September 12th – September 27th 2009
Launch: Friday 11th September, 6.30pm – 9.30pm,
Vaad Gallery, Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA
www.inkygoodness.com