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    Mural by Henrik Uldalen in Aberdeen, Scotland

    Henrik Uldalen was the second artist to descend on The Granite City for this years Nuart Aberdeen festival, which due to covid restrictions has taken the form of a series of artist in residence projects. The festival has an ongoing series of projects that aims to give everyone a lift – by reconnecting with those spaces and places that have become a part of them.Henrik Aarrestad Uldalen (1986) is a self-taught artist whose creative production revolves around classic figurative painting, presented in a contemporary manner. Henrik explores the dark sides of life, nihilism, existentialism, longing and loneliness, juxtaposed with fragile beauty. Though a figurative painter, his focus has always been the emotional content rather than narratives. The atmospheres in his work is often presented in a dream or limbo-like state, with elements of surrealism.The artist’s practice helps him grasp his entity, expressing “I paint because I need to paint. I have always had things in my life that I need to work out, and I’ve found that the best way is to take it out in the studio.”It’s rare that Henrik works in public space, most of his time being dedicated to his studio practice, but with a background in graffiti, tackling outdoor walls is something he is also comfortable with. This will be his second mural with Nuart having joined us in Stavanger, his mother’s home town, back in 2016.Check out below for more images of Henrik’s masterpiece. Photo credits: Clarke Joss|@clarkejossphotography More

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    “Space Tourism” by Ludo in Paris, France

    Parisian artist Ludo has finished another installation in Paris, France. Entitled “Space Tourism” the mural shows different brands, Amazon / Space X / Virgin, evading the moon. The mural also features a scene from Georges Méliès‘s 1902 film A Trip to the Moon, which is a very fitting imagery to people’s obsession with scientific discovery, explorations, and expeditions to the furthest reaches of the planet.The work of Ludo, often called ‘Nature’s Revenge’, connects the world of plants and animals with our technological universe and a quest for modernism. It speaks about what surrounds us, what affects us and tries to highlight some kind of humility.Ludo’s work aspires to jolt us out of a longstanding collective denial: despite repeated natural disasters, we refuse to acknowledge our own fragile state. Humanity’s reign on this planet is a dangerous and fleeting illusion.Check out more photos of “Space Tourism” below. More

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    Mural by Thiago Mazza in Lisbon, Portugal

    Urban artist Thiago Mazza was invited to paint at the MURO LX festival in Lisbon. The mural measuring 24 X 9 meters showcases a mix of foliage and flora with interesting shades and forms. The explosion of cores and shapes were enhanced by the beautiful yellow light of late afternoon in Portugal.Of all the plants chosen, one is the main star, a wild thorny artichoke, also known as Cardo. The plant is represented at the beginning and end of the mural, in two stages of her life. This plant also makes a lot of sense with the history the artist have with Lisbon.“Tradition has it that your flower is burned during the Midsummer Solstice, as once immersed in cold water it will bloom again. From ashes to ashes, the artichoke manifests in itself the eternal return, the denial of death, the resurrection.”“There I got in touch with the nature of the region, climbed mountains and went down to the sea cataloging all the plants that I found interesting, that aroused my attention due to their color or shape. I soon realized the challenge that would lie ahead: instead of the predominant green with vivid colours interspersing present on the tropical flora, in Portugal I found something different, the colours were much more contrasting, the fields were filled with yellow, purple dots, reds … as I got closer, the amount of detail increased. I was used to painting dense foliage, rigid and large flowers, I was lost in the amount of petals, thorns and lights that formed in a single flower in the field.” said Thiago.Thiago Mazza is known in the contemporary urban art scene for his mastery in the representation of fauna and flora. His current subject of studies are tropical plants, their exuberant structure and dense foliage. Thiago has participations in festivals all over the world such as Artscape (Sweden), Vukovart (Croatia), UpFest (UK), Stenograffia (Russia), IPAF (México) and CURA (Brazil). His work dialogues with classical painting, street art and contemporary art. Thiago Mazza brings nature within him, the ingenuity to transmute it and the art of taking us to it. More

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    Vanguard – Bristol Street Art: The Evolution of a Global Movement

    Vanguard in partnership with Vans presents Bristol Street Art: The Evolution of a Global Movement – an exhibition exploring the instrumental role of Bristol’s creatives in the development of British Street Art, from the 1980s to the present day. The seminal works, notable moments, key events and extraordinary artists belonging to Bristol’s dynamic history are highlighted in this comprehensive and compelling exhibition, which examines the creative response of the city’s pioneering underground scene throughout the UK’s turbulent social and political history and considers the drive for social change underpinning the work of many of today’s street artists. From anarchist origins in the ‘80s and ‘90s through to the explosion of the scene in the early ‘00s, the exhibition brings together one of the largest collections of original works and memorabilia ever seen in the UK. Beyond Bristol, Vanguard explores the evolving disciplines of British and Irish artists moving from the street art conversation to bridge contemporary fields by fusing traditional techniques with new technologies. The exhibition also reflects on how a new generation of global creatives are advocating for social and environmental awareness through art on the streets. From bronze sculptures to immersive displays, Vanguard reveals a host of new original pieces, as well as rare and unseen works, including bespoke edits from the iconic filmmakers and photographers who documented the unfolding scene. As part of the exhibition, Vanguard will also launch a series of exclusive releases from some of Bristol’s finest creatives, including: 
    An accompanying book featuring worldwide academics, film directors, writers, artists, creatives and specialists reflecting the evolving momentum of the movement 
    An exclusive album featuring some of the tracks which formed the roots of the world-famous Bristol Sound 
    Artist led merchandise from various artists featured in the exhibition Outside of the exhibition, Vanguard has partnered with Vans to launch an exciting city-wide, community-based outreach programme running throughout the duration, aligning with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The outreach programme hopes to promote discussion and participation at the intersection of culture and sustainable action and will include art activations, workshops, panels and film screenings. Exhibition Highlights New and unique works by Bristolian, British and international artists include: 
    New and original works from Adam Neate, Andy Council, Antony Micallef, Bill Posters, China Mike, Conor Harrington, Dale VMN Collins (formerly known as Dale Marshall), Dicy, Eko, Feek, Filthy Luker, Inkie, Lucas Price, Lucy McLauchlan, Matt Small, Mau Mau, Mr Jago, Paris, Rowdy, Sickboy, Swoon, Will Barras and Xenz 
    A life-size bronze sculpture of an old favourite from Nick Walker 
    Kineta Hill and Karen Dew’s photographic projections, Watching Paint Dry, female documenters of Bristol’s scene 
    Iconic photographs of the 80s from Beezer 
    A bespoke five-minute edit of the film Wild Style by Charlie Ahearn 
    A bespoke seven-minute film by Scottish filmmaker Doug Gillen of Fifth Wall TV with an original score by drum and bass producer and DJ Krust 
    Matthew Smith’s rare images of the 90s – the time of rave and the Criminal Justice Bill 
    Carrie Hitchcock and Yan Saunders’ unseen photographic archive 
    Legendary photographer Henry Chalfant’s unseen photographs of his time in Bristol for Spraycan Art Further details on the Vanguard book, album, outreach events and artist releases will be released shortly. Vanguard | Bristol Street Art: The Evolution of a Global Movement M Shed, Bristol, BS1 4RN Saturday 26 June 2021 – Sunday 31 October 2021 Admission £8 adult* / £7 concession* (*Tickets include £1 voluntary donation to Bristol Museums www.www.instagram.com/vanguardstreetartwww.vanguardstreetart.com More

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    KMG at Nuart Aberdeen Summer 2021, Scotland

    Aberdonian mischief painter KMG kicks off Nuart’s ‘artist residency’ line-up in her home city. KMG is the first of numerous artists to take to the streets of Aberdeen for Nuart 2021, armed with raw, bright character art and a healthy dose of rebellious attitude.KMG is a Scottish based artist, illustrator, printer and painter. Her curious nature leads her work to explore themes ranging from the precarious to the mundane, often of a subversive nature. A weird combination of youthful enthusiasm mixed with utter cynicism leaves her work with a sarcastic, raw and yet playful tone.These brightly coloured & tightly stylised personalities, presented in often-raw, borderline-chaotic compositions, are used as her means of connecting with the public, and engaging them in dialogue around ignored or overlooked issues that exist within society.“We’re incredibly happy to announce that we’ll be back on the streets of Aberdeen this Summer with a series of projects we hope can give everyone a lift – by reconnecting with those spaces and places that have become a part of us” said Martyn Reed, Nuart founder and creative director.Scroll down below for more photos of KMG’s murals. Photo credits: Clarke Joss | @clarkejossphotography More

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    “Kit de Secours” by Leon Keer in Plougasnou, France

    World-renowned 3D artist Leon Keer is back with another stunning anamorphic mural in Plougasnou, France. Entitled “Kit de Secours” the latest mural is located in Plougasnou, France, in a nearby beach setting. The project is a collaboration of Leon Keer with MX Arts Tour Festival.Leon Keer is one of the world’s foremost artists in 3D Street Art, the master of optical illusion. A message seems to be present in his work. Current issues are reviewed, such as environmental concerns and the livability of this world. Leon Keer is constantly aware of the playfulness and beauty versus the degradation around him, a contrast that he expresses and amplifies in his work and which he uses as a metaphor for life.His paintings reflect his thoughts, confronting the viewer with the diseased spirit of our times, visible decay counter-pointing a timeless longing for unspoiled beauty.This June, Leon Keer also opened a show in Amsterdam. Solo exhibition ‘Forced Perspective’ displays a colourful selection of the artists’ new paintings, sculptures, installations, anamorphic artworks and Augmented Reality (AR).Hit the jump for more images of  “Kit de Secours” in France. More

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    “Drop By Drop” Solo Exhibition by Javier Calleja in Athens, Greece

    Back with Dio Horia gallery two years after his solo introduction in Greece, Javier Calleja will be presenting his Athens debut through the month of July 2021. Borrowing the title from an expression that stands for slow and steady yet unstoppable progress, Drop By Drop continues the artist’s subtle but focused and persistent development of his practice. Tirelessly moving through the art world “step by step” and consistently making connections between his humble beginnings and the recent successes Calleja’s newest presentation includes a couple of poetic bridges between the past and the present. Showing exclusively works on paper, namely 10 drawings, the exhibition once again utilizes his love for this most sincere of mediums as well as for the play with scale. By contrasting 5 small-scale drawings against 5 otherworldly, blown-up, big-scale ones, Malagan artist once again puts the viewer as the center point of the installation. Experiencing the works in a black space of the gallery, the observer becomes a steady reference point surrounded with works of shifting scales. Simultaneously, the artist reintroduces the use of typography in his work, evoking the book aesthetics and suggesting the existence of a bigger story around the individual, imaginary page. “It’s like taking a different path to arrive at the same place,” the artist explains.The reintroduction of some older concepts is accompanied by new traits of the big eyed subjects. The new haircuts, depiction of dynamic movements, or use of a  refined approach to create the volume as well as light and play effect, are all mimicking the life dynamics within his practice. “It’s like taking a different path to arrive at the same place,” the artist explains, revealing the poetry behind these appealing visuals. And such a poetic approach to referencing reality infuses the continuous development of Calleja’s universe. From iconic characters, over their natural surroundings, its fauna (also referencing the previous presentation with the gallery), all the way to the ambiance set by the textual elements in the work. Purposely bleak, tragi-comic, or even nonsensical, and in stark contrast with aforementioned invigorated visuals, these simple yet intriguing quotes are meant to spark the magic of imagination. Once again putting the viewer in a fictitious spotlight, the combination of the two elements constructs a tension that opens doors for a multitude of readings of both the individual pieces and the body of work as a whole. “Drop By Drop” will be on display for the whole month of July at Dio Horia Gallery, Athens, Greece.  More

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    “Proud Little Pyramid” by Adam Nathaniel Furman in Kings Cross, England

    As Pride month draws to a close, King’s Cross will explode with camp, colour and creativity as British Argentine-Japanese artist and designer Adam Nathaniel Furman unveils their ‘Proud Little Pyramid’ in Granary Square. Known worldwide for their irreverent architectural creations and infectious love of colour, pattern and ornament, Furman’s ‘Proud Little Pyramid’, which will remain in place throughout the summer, is designed to monumentalise joy during Pride after such a difficult year. The 31ft pyramid, which has communal seating integrated into its base, is designed to act as a beacon in the centre of King’s Cross signposting the entrance to Coal Drops Yard, reinforcing Granary Square’s reputation as a place for people to meet and come together.During the six-month residency – their first for a destination – Furman will use King’s Cross as a creative playground, delivering multiple ‘fabulous’ artworks across the site as well as a series of pop-up retail experiences, in person and virtual events. Furman will also launch and co-judge the destination’s first annual poster competition in the run up to London Design Festival which would be open to all with a prize value of £2,500 for the winning entry.  Up to 60 posters from the competition would be showcased during the autumn in the Outside Art Project, an outdoor gallery spread across King’s Cross.King’s Cross has built a reputation as a London arts and culture destination, using its public spaces and buildings to showcase artworks from a huge variety of artists and sculptors such as Eva Rothschild and Tess Jaray, street artists such as Andy Leek and Rana Begum, and painter and curator Rashid Araeen.“King’s Cross has been the backdrop for so much of my life – I have learnt, loved and laughed here. In the 90s I was regular at iconic nightclubs The Cross & the Scala and later a student and then teacher at Central St Martins. Whilst I have taken inspiration for my residency from King’s Cross’ recent queer history from the 80s through to the early 2000s, I have also looked back to London’s Victorian heritage in which dramatic monuments of all sizes, from water fountains and public loos, to tube stations, memorials and town halls  brought accessible decorative art to  public spaces. I want to make history – and its complexity- instantly present and fun. And the opportunity to use this vast and striking space – once my playground, now my canvas – is beyond thrilling.” Furman exlplains.Anthea Harries, Head of Assets for King’s Cross, comments “We are proud to be working with Adam Nathaniel Furman as our latest Artist in Residence. At King’s Cross we are committed to delivering outstanding places, and art is a fundamental part of that. We have been working with artists to create installations at King’s Cross for 15 years now and the site is home to numerous spectacular pieces that act as orientation points for meeting friends and loved ones, as well as to interact and play with. Now more than ever we need to bring as much joy and opportunity to everyday life as possible, and King’s Cross remains the ideal backdrop for embracing these simple pleasures and looking forward to the future with optimism.”Photo credits: John Nguyen/PA Wire More