Street Sketchbook: Journeys – advance copy

Finally after two years in the making I have a copy of Street Sketchbook: Journeys. This is my favourite cover as designed by Ripo although the Italian cover is also nice. There are other covers for the American & French versions…

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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Beyond the Street

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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Vhils in Colombia

Abundantly creative is perhaps the best way to describe Vhils, a young Portuguese artist who constantly innovates with new techniques and approaches to his art.

I’ve long been a supporter of his work – and was lucky enough to be able to invite him Cans Festival in 2008. It was also a pleasure to feature his work in depth in my next book which will be published later this year.

For the uninitiated, Vhils’s current work is about revealing images through deconstruction (in the demolition sense – construction in reverse). By stencilling, stripping away billboards and chiselling into walls; Vhils creates new images that reflect the  random decay of the streets. At the same time Vhils’s uses portraiture to evoke the lives and ghosts of people who make up the history and life of our cities.

I was very excited to see Vhils new work in Bogota, with thanks to the Memoria Canalla team. It is a city I found fascinating and great to see that Vhils was able to leave his mark there.

For more by Vhils – visit his updated website

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