Joe Cruz - British Illustrator, Part Three.

Joe Cruz
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Joe Cruz is a British Illustrator. He experiments with minimal playfulness in his work, and to some degree, he is revisiting the pop art movement with his vibrant and re-worked imagery. 

His work also reminds me of the Zine movement that was in heavy demand during the mid 1980's - 1990's, as he presents an aesthetic that is based around recycling to re-invent. I really identify with this movement, as working with material from the past to create something new and current, gives work a great sense of dynamism. 

Contrast is also another feature in Joe's work, he is able to juxtapose harsh black and white photography with vibrant colour palettes. 

Similarly to the other artist's I have chosen to highlight, Joe presents a childlike approach to his work. It shows that he is not afraid of experimentation or making mistakes. Which I think is very key in any artistic process. 

Ryan Humphreys - British Illustrators, Part Two.

Ryan Humphrey's - Recent Pages.
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Ryan Humphrey's is a British Illustrator. His work portrays people and celebrities in a slightly off kilter fashion. 

Wit plays a big role in Ryann's work, which I find very relevant to British Art. He reminds me of a modern day Roald Dahl, depicting the norm but in a way that is expressive and not to serious. 

Ryan's use of obvious brushstrokes are of great interest to me, as I love the idea of experimenting and not seeking out complete perfection, with clean cut lines and perfectly shaded areas. 

David Rappeneau - British Illustrators, Part One.

David Rappeneau
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David Rappeneau has virtually no Internet footprint. I am not 100% sure if he is British, but after inspecting each piece of his work. He gives clues away such as illustrating brutalised environments that could be part of a London setting. 

The characters he illustrates are typical of 90's British youth, clad in brands such as Kappa, Adidas and Fila. All of which were associated with English subcultures at a certain time. 

What I find so interesting about Davids work, is his technique and overall his depictions of life for the disenfranchised youth. Another pattern I have noticed in Davids work, is how powerful he makes the female form. He illustrates them with super human stature and rippling muscles. I find this very interesting as women are often depicted as soft and unassuming in art. David has completely thrown this typical idea of how women are portrayed, and has created female warriors.

Peter Judson - British Designers, Part Three.

Peter Judson - Purple Stairs.
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Peter Judson is a London based designer and illustrator. He graduated from Kingston University with a BA in Illustration and Animation in 2013. 

Peters work bares resemblance to the Memphis Group founded in 1981. Highly intertwined with post-modernism. However, I feel through his illustrated pieces of heavenly interiors he has given the 1980s aesthetic, a whole new lease of life. 

Judson's work plays into my nostalgia, as the colours and intricate proportions of each element within the setting, remind me of old computer games I grew up playing with such as; Habbo Hotel. 

Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam - British Designers, Part Two.

Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam 
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Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam, most commonly known as musician M.I.A. graduated from Central Saint Martins with a degree in Fine Arts.

She creates artwork through multidisciplinary formats, transferring emphasis on her cultural heritage and upbringing. Keeping in touch with her Asian roots, there is a sense of old and new in her artwork. She represents the 'past' India through older artistic processes, such a silkscreen which is contrasted with newer methods of artistry, such as holographic printing, which is commonly used for printing credit cards. 

I love how there are layers to Mayas work. She allows contrast to take place without putting to much emphasis on it. You are instantly able to tell of her multi-cultural upbringing as she creates an artistic pick'n'mix of symbols, colours and textures. 

Maya is extremely relevant to me, as she reminds me of the importance of art with meaning. But also, she reminds me of where I am from. London, and all its enriching diversity. 

Michael Willis - British Designers, Part One.

Michael Willis 
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Michael Willis is a designer and visual artist, hailing from London. His main medium focuses in the area of trans-media. Allowing him to immerse his craft in various formats such as; books, fashion, art direction and design. Working in digital and non-digital realms, Michael is able to explore with experimentation in two worlds; on-line and offline. 

Michael's work really appeals to me visually, as it is consistently nonsensical and abstract. I enjoy getting lost in colours and patterns, rather than the deep meaning. I also appreciate how Willis, is somewhat deconstructing the norms of design, and in a sense, reinventing a new norm within composition rules. 

Gilbert and George - British Artist, Part Three.

Gilbert and George

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Gilbert and George are a collaborative duo, living and working in London's East End. The pair met at Central Saint Martins and ever since, have remained at each others side. Famed for their highly distinctive formal appearance that is somewhat juxtaposed by their hugely vibrant works, they employ social message and humour into each piece. Creating a sense of dialogue between serious issues and the ludicrously bizarre. 

There appears to be no in-between with Gilbert and George. In-fact, they have been noted for standing by the philosophy of 'Art For All', praising socialism at times. Whilst, putting Margaret Thatcher on a pedestal of glory. I feel a sense of contradiction is very relevant to the British identity and even more so for any young aspiring artist, as your mind is always changing and can never settle in one school of thought.

Gilbert and George create an environment that is humorous and uncomfortable, similar to   a bad film you cant look away from. I adore this, as I think its so unique to British culture. 

David Hockey - British Artist, Part Two.

David Hockney - Three Chairs With A Section Of A Picasso Mural, 1970. 
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David Hockney was born in Bradford, 1937. Hockney, has been a long standing contributor to British art for many decades, so much so that he has been hailed one of the most influential British artist of the 20th Century. 

Identifying with elements of expressionism and pop-art. Through these key artistic movements, Hockney has established an instantly recognisable and world-renowned aesthetic. 

I find the work of Hockney to be very interesting, as he remixes fine artistry with a sense of abstract expressionism. Somehow, collaborating these elements together works in such harmony. David is very relevant to me, as he employs old craftsmanship with sharp ripples of contemporary expression. 

Duggie Fields - British Artist, Part One.

Duggie Fields - 1980.
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Duggie was born in Wiltshire, 1945. As a child, it was established at an early age, that art was his calling. With this, he found himself enrolling at Chelsea School Of Art in 1964. Exploring many creative pathways such as; minimalism and conceptualism. Fields, finally settled in the realm of post modernism. Fields main influences drew from the likes of; Jackson Pollock, Mondrian and Stand Lee, all of which are evident idols of the artist in each piece of his work. 

I believe Duggie is relevant to the U.K as he delivers work that is sharp and witty. Elements, I feel set the foundation of Britain. 

Fields, is mostly relevant to me, as throughout his creative journey, he has never taken art to seriously. Personally,  keeping art fun and less immersed in deep connotative structures allows for something far more interesting to take form.

What I also find interesting about Duggie, is how experimental his approach to art can be. I thoroughly identify with this method, as I like to see this particular process as a way of finding happy mistakes through trial and error. In Fields biography, he mentions experimenting with painting outside and allowing the wind to change the direction of the paint on the canvas. 

I feel Duggie is as fundamental to Myself and British Art, as Candy Floss is to Zippos Circus. 

Image Ten.

I love this image simply as the only elements tying it together, are the complimentary colours. I also feel there is something quite humorous about the items having no relation or significance to each other. 

Image Nine.

The colours, textures and context of this image really stand out to me. Viviane Sassen is one of my favourite photographers, as she has the ability to apply a sense of abstract beauty to photography. 

Image Eight.

There is a sense of serendipity to the image above, simply down to the element of the unplanned.

Image Seven.

This image has always been hugely interesting to me, simply down to the nature of its message. 

I feel this image is very relevant in many contexts, in particular the times we are in now, where we have come so far in terms of social injustices. However, it is evident that there is still work to be done in creating complete social equality. 

Additionally, for a seemingly 'controversial' statement. I find it very interesting that it boasts a setting used to house thousands of people (presumably a sports stadium)

Image Six.

I find it very interesting when an image is able to challenge our perception of beauty. 

The image above in particular, intrigues me as there is an air of vulgarity about it. The props featured in this piece, remind me of found objects typically found in any high street pound shop.

However, the glossy sharpness and colours used throughout, juxtapose the initial feeling felt at first glance. 
Overall, I find this image very visually stimulating as together, each element forms the idea of a repulsive beauty. Creating an almost tangible contrast, so much so that you could almost taste and feel the textures used. 

Image Five.

I took this image whilst walking around my local neighbourhood a few weeks ago.

Instantly drawn to the colours of these cars. I was compelled by the garish exterior of the motors, as I have seen nothing like it in my neighbourhood before. 

I think what makes this image of most interest to me, is simply the general setting of my neighbourhood, its prone to following a conforming middle-class code, where no extravagance is exhibited as its seen as a sign of being 'tasteless'.  I find the social clash and juxtaposition of this image very fascinating. In fact, I would even consider conducting a photo series of similar images and contrasts. 

Image Four.

The image above is aesthetically interesting to me, simply down to how the physical background is mimicked in the artwork itself. 

The idea of curating physical items in an almost 'still life' fashion intrigues me, as a new visual representation is able to take form in a slightly contemporary setting. 

Image Three.

Keith Sonniers work has personally, always been very interesting. The main nature of his work is birthed from the idea of 'process art'. A movement I find fascinating and able to identify with. 

I love how the main principle of this movement focuses on the lead-up to the final outcome. Even with this in mind, once the final product has been created, it is never the sole focus of the actual work itself. 

Image Two.

What I find most interesting about this image, is that it is constructed with objects that are seemingly the norm. Possibly items that could even be found discarded or unwanted. However, the artist has curated these 'worthless' items in a gallery environment. A typical setting that will bump up the value of any day to day item. As once it has been given the gallery setting, instantly 'a piece' becomes conceptual and meaningful, even if it is disliked or misunderstood. 

I find this interesting as it sets the tone for big questions, such as; what actually defines art? Could it be anything and everything? 

Image One.

Aesthetically indulgent imagery is very important to me. The image above represents an art movement that relies solely on making the eyes hungry for colour and texture.

Personally, I find this image really interesting as the artist has really thought about visual pleasure, almost creating a fleeting yet still representation of hedonism. The contrast of the honey and Chanel perfume channel this idea of absolute pleasure, beneficial to the fundamental senses of smell and taste. 

Imagery that creates an almost tangible quality, is of huge interest to me. I think it demonstrates the success of an image, if someone is so moved by it, that they may feel as though they could taste and feel the textures represented.