Inkie
Adding to the ever fertile collection of galleries on Redchurch Street in east London, online gallery Urban Angel unveils The Art Lounge - their bricks and mortar street and graffiti art space. On Thursday 11th December, The Art Lounge opens with a group show entitled “2”. Representing the likes of Zeus, Holly Thoburn, Hush and long time UK graf kingpins Inkie (who earlier this year painted on a world tour with Jade Jagger) and Remi/Rough (who you might have heard talking at the Tate Modern during their “Street Art” series), The Art Lounge is a sweet addition to Redchurch Street. The gallery’s managing director Andrew Bulmson, alongside Inkie and Remi/Rough speak to Dazed and give their round-up lists of 2008.
DazedDigital: Can you introduce the space?
Andrew Blumson: It’s a simple concept; free Wi-Fi, free beer, wine, coffee… sofas. Somewhere where people will come and not feel intimated, or like they need to show their bank balance before we even speak to them. We wanted to create a space where people feel comfortable.
DD: Now more than ever there must be something in the value of exclusivity, especially within art?
Inkie: I always like each piece of work to have an individual touch and the soul that comes through human error. Mass produced work doesn’t have the feeling that art is really about.
Andrew Blumson: There has been way too many bedroom street art dealers appearing over the last few years, along with street artists that started painting last Thursday at the Street Art Awards. I think everyone wants to discover the next Banksy and buy an original canvas for £300 that next year is worth £50k. In reality that isn’t going happen, but I like the way collectors are starting to think for themselves, rather than just copying the most popular bloke on the Banksy.info forum.
DD: I had an artist friend in NYC recently say that New York's young art/creative scene was in "a state of critical emergency". What do you think about London?
Inkie: When the others around you start to panic... go large or go home!
DD: Top 5 art shows of 2008?
Andrew Blumson: “Corked” by Urban Angel. We took on Cork Street and in my opinion, made a real statement about our commitment to the scene as a whole. “Jose Parla” at Elms Lesters. “Phil Frost” at Elms Lesters. “Mutate Britain” at Cordy House. “Herakut” in Covent Garden.
Inkie: “Babylon Academy”. “Delta” at Elms Lesters. “Alan Aldridge” at Design Museum. “Mutate Britain” at Cordy house. “Nancy Victor” Christmas Show.
Remi/Rough: “Nancy Victor” Christmas Show. “Jose Parla” at Elms Lesters. “Street Art” at Tate Modern. “Stormie” in Perth. “Mutate Britain” at Cordy house.
DD: Best art trend of 2008?
Andrew Blumson: Galleries spending more time and effort in the production value of their shows. Too much bare brick and leaking roofs in 2007, and as cool as that is, it’s nice to see some white walls and clean floors when you walk into a show.
Inkie: The return of the Wildstyle back to the original art form.
Remi/Rough: Portraits of recently dead A list celebrities.
DD: Worst art trend of 2008?
Andrew Blumson: Artists painting on any old shit they can find, because it’s cool and urban.
Inkie: Anything with Mona Lisa or Andy Warhol on it.
Remi/Rough: Portraits of fuck-up Z list celebrities.
DD: Future star art predictions of 2009?
Andrew Blmson: Hush, Remi/Rough, Part2ism, Case, Holy Thoburn, Titifreak, Charming Baker.
Inkie: My Dad and my Daughter.
Remi/Rough: Holly Thoburn, Stormie Mills, System, 1Mor, Joker.
