Sickboy: Stay Free (Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art)

One more Sickboy article. Here's a link to some more stuff I wrote about his Stay Free show.

Sickboy: Stay Free
Chris Osburn
Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art
January 2009

Not content to simply wow exhibition goers with a retrospective of his best street and studio work, prolific London graffiti artist, Sickboy (whom we interviewed back in February 08), saw his recent solo show, Stay Free, as an opportunity to give something back to his fans in the way of offering his massive Stay Free Factory installation as a prize to one lucky exhibition visitor. During the December 4th through 10th run of the Stay Free exhibition, a thousand golden keys were released to the exhibition visitors with the person whose key fit the lock becoming the new owner of the Stay Free Factory (worth an estimated £20,000).

See more pics and read the complete Sickboy: Stay Free review at Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art.

Sweet Toof and Martin Lea Brown at Sartorial Contemporary Art

Double-Bill Sweet Toof/Martin Lea Brown Exhibition at Sartorial Contemporary Art
Chris Osburn
Londonist
December 19, 2008



Both [Sweet Toof and Martin Lea Brown] have the uncanny ability to juxtapose images of violence, illegality and desperation with vivid colours and an exuberance too often avoided in contemporary art (at least in this town). The results provide viewers with an opportunity to ponder societal anxiety and the fragility of cultural norms at a time when such topics truly resonate. In other words, this is cool shit that’s worth ogling. Very zeitgeist-y!

Read the complete Sweet Toof/Martin Lea Brown review at Londonist.

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Sweet Toof & Martin Lea Brown: Double Billing at Sartorial Contemporary Art
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Saturday, 20 December 2008


















More on Sweet Toof & Martin Lea Brown's double billing at Sartorial Contemporary Art at www.sartorialart.com

See all the Sweet Toof & Martin Lea Brown photos at Juxtapoz.

Sickboy - Stay Free

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Stay Free with Street Artist Sickboy (until 10th December)
Chris Osburn
Londonist
December 4, 2008



... prolific street artist Sickboy stepped up to the challenge of wowing London’s jaded art mob with his first major solo exhibition- an exhibition that’s as defiant and provocative as it is fun and vibrant.

Read the complete Stay Free with Street Artist Sickboy review at Londonist.

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Photos: Sick Boy's "Stay Free"
Photography by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Tuesday, 09 December 2008












Stay Free is open to the general public through December 10, 2008 at The Tramshed in Shoreditch, London.

See all the Sick Boy's "Stay Free" photos at Juxtapoz.

Barcelona XL - Spanish Street Art at Smithfield Gallery

(P)review: The Best of Barcelona’s Street Artists at Smithfield Gallery
by Chris Osburn
Londonsit
December 2, 2008



Barcelona XL engages the viewer with a variety of wonderful colours and an array of various styles which somehow work together in the same gallery space exceedingly well with no one artist or piece overshadowing the others. This is one exhibition you shouldn’t miss.

Read the complete Barcelona’s Street Artists at Smithfield Gallery review at Londonist.

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Photos: "BCNXL, Barcelona XL: Homage to Catalonia"
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Friday, 05 December 2008











"I believe these artists have been inspired by the unique political and social culture of Catalonia, which faced many years of repression during the dictatorship of Franco," explains curator Janspivey.

See all thh Barcelona XL photos at Juxtapoz.

Herakut in London (But Not for Long!)

Preview: Herakut Airing Their Dirty Laundry in London
Chris Osburn
Londonist
November 28, 2008



... think darkly witty feminine broad strokes (that’s the Hera contribution) emboldened by the thoughtful and masculine touch ups of Akut.

Read the complete Herakut review at Londonist.

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Photos: Herakut's "Dirty Laundry"
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Monday, 01 December 2008












If you can't make it to Convent Garden to see their stunning Dirty Laundry in person, don't worry, we've got all you need in more exhibit photos here.

See all of Herakut's "Dirty Laundry" photos at Juxtapoz.

Review: Garry Fabian Miller at James Hyman Gallery (Londonist)

Review: Garry Fabian Miller at James Hyman Gallery
Chris Osburn
Londonist
November 20, 2008



Now open and running until the 24th of January at James Hyman Gallery (5 Saville Row, W1S 3PD) is a comprehensive retrospective of works by camera-less photographer Garry Fabian Miller. Fabian Miller is famous for the long process of exposing light directly onto photographic paper through organic material and substances such as plants, lead, engine oil and water to yield unique images for which there are no negatives.

Read the complete Garry Fabian Miller at James Hyman Gallery review at Londonist.

Review: “A Decade of Divine” Photography Exhibition (Londonist)

Review: “A Decade of Divine” Photography Exhibition
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
November 7, 2008



The free exhibition is now open to the public (but sadly closes on the 9th) and well worth a look-see. We think it's neat to see how chocolate is farmed and were inspired on our visit to the gallery by the images on display.

Read the complete “A Decade of Divine” Photography Exhibition review at Londonist.

Your Favourite Cartoon Characters in a Hilariously Bloody Mess! (Qype does London)

Your Favourite Cartoon Characters in a Hilariously Bloody Mess!
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
November 7th 2008



A de-eared Mickey Mouse sitting in a pool of his own blood? Tom (the cat) slicing up his nemesis Jerry like a salami?

Read the complete Hilariously Bloody Mess! post at Qype does London.

Preview: Cocoa Co-operation in Divine Chocolate Photography Exhibition (Londonist)

Preview: Cocoa Co-operation in Divine Chocolate Photography Exhibition
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
November 3, 2008











To celebrate their tenth year anniversary in the Fairtrade chocolate business, Divine Chocolate (co-owned by Kuapa Kokoo, a co-operative of 45,000 cocoa farmers in Ghana) is to host an exhibition of photographs which give insight into the lives of the Kuapa Kokoo farmers and follows Divine’s journey from “a great idea – that could never happen” to creating its “equitable trading relationship with smallholder farmers in Africa.”

Read the complete Divine Chocolate Photography Exhibition at Londonist.

London Daily Photo: Mighty Monkey

London Daily Photo: Mighty Monkey
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2008
Interested in contributing a photograph of London to this blog? Click here for details.

Photos: "Burning Candy" & "Remember My Name" in London (Juxtapoz)

Photos: "Burning Candy" & "Remember My Name" in London
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Saturday, 18 October 2008

Both exhibitions run until November 11th, 2008.

See all the "Burning Candy" & "Remember My Name" at Juxtapoz.

Dan Witz: "Night Paintings" (Juxtapoz)

Dan Witz: "Night Paintings"
Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Chris Osburn
Friday, 10 October 2008

Influenced by Ed Ruscha’s 26 gasoline stations and Joseph Wright of Derby, in these pieces Witz also references older western religious painting, where physical light was a metaphor for spiritual revelation and enlightenment.

See all the Dan Witz: "Night Paintings" at Juxtapoz.

JR’s “28 Millimetres: WOMEN” (Qype does London)

JR’s “28 Millimetres: WOMEN”
Chris Osburn

Qype does London
October 9th 2008










Well known for his large scale installations, JR has transformed streets, buildings, villages and more with his giant-sized photos. And the 28 Millimetres exhibition has JR staying true to form. Not only does the show take up both Lazarides’ Greek Street and Charing Cross spaces but also spills out into the street (Sutton Row to be exact). JR’s images take up most of the small street’s buildings, including the entire northface of the building where noted bookstore Foyles is located.

Read the complete JR’s “28 Millimetres: WOMEN” post at Qype does London.

Beyond the Rabbit Hole (Qype does London)

Beyond the Rabbit Hole
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
October 5th 2008










As Qyper/blogger Julie so aptly describes in her recent Qype Goes Down the Rabbit Hole post, half an hour spent “wandering ’round the rabbit hole” is indeed an incredibly surreal experience, one which requires significant and immediate time afterwards to unwind and process thoughts induced while being subjected to Down the Rabbit Hole’s “Lynch-esque scenes involving hybrid rabbit-humans.”

Read the complete Beyond the Rabbit Hole post (and its food/drink suggestions) at Qype does London.

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... And check out my Down the Rabbit Hole pics on my Flickr photostream!

Photos: JR's "28 Millimetres: WOMEN" in London (Juxtapoz)

Photos: JR's "28 Millimetres: WOMEN" in London
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Friday, 03 October 2008










JR's first solo show at Lazarides, 28 Millimetres: WOMEN opened today, October 3rd, 2008 in both the Greek Street and Charing Cross galleries, and in the surrounding streets of London. 28 Millimetres: WOMEN includes new originals and a truly awe inspiring site-specific installation.

View all of the "28 Millimetres: WOMEN" photos at the Juxtapoz website.

Photos: T.MAGIC's "Loaded with Meaning" in London (Juxtapoz)

Photos: T.MAGIC's "Loaded with Meaning" in London
Photography by Chris Osburn, London correspondent
Juxtapoz
Tuesday, 30 September 2008













Loaded with Meaning is an independent solo show mounted by one of the UK’s most colorful talents, T.Magic (shown above,) which features over forty new works of paintings, photographs, sculptures, and silk-screens.

Check out all the T.MAGIC photos at Juxtapoz.

Lots of Art, Furniture & Electronics for Sale

A friend of mine here in London has recently realized that he has "managed to build up a far bigger collection (of good stuff and junk) than he will ever be able to put on my walls/put on the floor." That means BARGAINS for the rest of us! His collection includes lithos of works by Toulouse-Lautrec, Chagall, Miro, Dali and more ... furniture by Eames, Bertoia and more ... and lots of A/V and electronics goodies. Visit my Tiki Chris Presents blog for a full list and contact details.

Paul Insect - Poison (Juxtapoz)

Paul Insect's "Poison" with Lazarides Gallery
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Tuesday, 16 September 2008















Insect’s Poison will only remain on view through September 21st, 2008. Check out some photos of Poison ...

See all the Paul Insect's "Poison" with Lazarides Gallery photos at the Juxtapoz website.

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... And because I love you all so much, here's a quick video from opening night. However, I must recommend that you go and check out the exhibition for yourselves. It's good stuff!

David Bray at StolenSpace (Juxtapoz)

Photos: David Bray's "The 2nd Misc Adventure"
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Saturday, 16 August 2008










Featuring originals, limited edition prints, sculptures, and collaborative installations by the artist David Bray, The 2nd Misc Adventure will only be open from August 14th - 18th, for one weekend only.

See the complete David Bray post and see all the photos at the Juxtapoz website.

The House of Viktor & Rolf at Barbican (Qype does London)

The House of Viktor & Rolf at Barbican
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
August 11th 2008










What made the V&R exhibition so creepy (for me anyway), was their use of dolls, dolls and more dolls. The central feature of the show was a giant dollhouse with all sorts of cutesy dolls wearing mini-me versions of V&R’s off-kilter designs. Think Dolce&Gabbana meets Chucky. Even the life-sized mannequins used to display V&R’s clothing collections had these kewpy doll heads with giant-sized eyes. The juxtaposition of high-minded style with messed-up proportions made a real impact. I appreciated their tweaking everything to be slightly wrong and uncomfortably odd.

Read the complete Viktor & Rolf post at Qype does London.