Titifreak is a long-standing friend and collaborator, we’ve shared times in Birmingham, London, Brighton, Berlin, Sao Paulo and Rio and it was a pleasure to finally feature his work in depth in the last book Street Sketchbook Journeys…

So its great to see him returning to the UK even if it has been only briefly. Titifreak was invited by onethirty3– a new project space in Newcastle to make an immersive installation. The idea behind the project as I understand it, is to invite six artists per year to create indoor murals and installations where nothing is for sale except a limited print edition to help fund the costs.

The installation is open for one night only. Although creating an indoor installation is not a new one,  Titifreak has created some beautiful installs for museums and institutions such as MASP and Tomie Ohtakemuseums, but what makes this different a museum show is the complete freedom to paint is like being in the artist’s own studio. While what makes it a change from a normal commercial show is the lack of pressure to create works for sale such as canvases. From my own experience working with Titifreak and other Brazilian artists, the problems of importing and exporting art to and from Brazil with its insane tax laws, can also be prohibitive.

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Here is a little info about the book, but in the simplest terms this book is about how artists develop their voice…

Art is a journey. Every artist forges their own path of discovery that gradually leads to the formation of their own unique style, and creative outlook. This book follows the journeys of 26 extraordinary artists from around the world through stories, projects undertaken and key moments that have shaped their artistic eye. Some of these artists have been on travels that have inspired them while for others ‘the journey’ is what links the people and things they’re passionate about, which makes them want to create art.

Street Sketchbook: Journeys explores how artists develop ideas and in particular looking at the work of some of the most exciting talent emerging from today’s street art culture and independent art and design practise. On the street these artists express themselves with graffiti art and murals while they also produce art in countless other ways such as on canvas, sculptures, animations, comics and even performance art. The aim of this book is to share in the artist’s passions and uncover their processes and obsessions. Through in-depth interviews, unseen sketchbooks and photographs we gain a unique insight into their creative lives.

In all their different endeavours their spirit remains the same, one of experimentation, originality and free expression. Their passion for art is also often necessarily combined with a Do-it-yourself attitude and ingenuity that is equally inspiring. Many of these artists initiate their own commercial or community based projects, create their own outlets and markets for their art often bypassing conventional routes. As today’s markets for art and design fluctuate, being able to self-initiate and author projects is becoming increasingly important. Which makes the work of these independent artists all the more relevant and inspiring to all artists endeavouring to unlock their own ideas. From Colombia to Chile, Ukraine to Mexico, these artists come from different backgrounds and have arrived at different creative conclusions. Talent is rising from small creative hubs in sometimes-overlooked places, producing fresh outlooks and approaches.

Street Sketchbook: Journeys explores the interesting and varied backgrounds of each artist, observing how different experiences can shape an artist, while common humanity and urban life can lead to similar themes being interpreted in different ways. With the generous collaboration of all involved, this book looks at the extraordinary stories of young artists and how they engage with the world.

The above pages are some spreads from the Bastadilla and Stinkfish chapter – I’ll post some things from other contributors over the coming months

Many thanks to all the artists who made it happen. Keep the date of the 1st October free for the London book launch at Pictures on Walls gallery space.

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Here’s a book that gets two thumbs up from me and that’s before I’ve even read it – which I’m planning to this weekend. The reason I like it already is not because I am featured in it! – but I admire the work that has gone into it. At least two years of almost constant research I believe, particularly from Patrick Nguyen who as I understand it took a career break to work on this book full-time. He went the extra mile, putting his own funds into travels around the globe to meet artists and being persistent to get the interviews and materials needed for the book.

The book has been made with the same care that I’ve tried to put into my own books. All of my publications have taken two years to produce and where I can I travel to meet artists all over the world in person to really understand the work. But enough about me… it’s just that I believe this is the only way to do it. There are too many lazy books put together by people who have not met artists in person or experienced the art first hand – and this, I’m glad to say, is not one of them.

Although I haven’t delved fully into the book I’m already familiar with the line up of characters involved – many of whom I have had the pleasure of working with and have had adventures with in the past. These chosen artists tend to be people who push themselves, innovate and have something special about them. Many of them I’ve featured in books and know very well but I am still looking forward to reading their interviews.

Finally my own interview – yikes! I wish I had taken more care with my answers – I didn’t even proof read them. So my own answers are delivered as relaxed e.mail written replies – rather  than anything too profound. But I think its okay and I’m happy to be included in this stellar list. I don’t really see myself as a “leading figure” – the books I have produced are about the artists I think are doing something interesting not about myself – but if someone wants my thoughts or experience, it was a pleasure to be included in this historical review.

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For months Choque Cultural gallery have been preparing for an important show which they were asked to curate at MASP – The Musuem of Contemporary Art in Sao Paulo. The result are spectacular from some of my favourite artists such as Carlos Dias, Ramon Martins, Zezao and Titifreak. Opens November 19th for three months.

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As part of my partnership with Choque Cultural gallery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, I managed the artwork for screenprints with artists with whom we both wanted to work.  Examples here are a prints by the French artist Remed and Brazilian artists Carlos Dias, Speto, Zezao and TitiFreak.

Return to portfolio.

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