Up Close + Personal: (Very!) Young Lincoln Artists

On our travels in and around Lincoln, the two of us (Tendai and Lewis) endeavored in a pursuit to explore Lincoln's culture. We ventured along Steep Hill, which is the road which leads to the iconic Lincoln Cathedral which is one of England's finest landmarks, to see what we could find. We were just passing through this art gallery when we found, in the loft, an exhibition of Primary School childrens' art work. We were both astounded and astonished at the level of ability these young children had, being able to interpret and distinguish various colours whilst also possessing an uncanny ability to use shading and detailed which is disproportionate to the usual Primary School level. We were both thoroughly impressed at what we saw, and we hope that you are too as these kids were between Year 3 and Year 6! It's a great shame that creativity isn't always expressed as avidly as this at grass roots level, and it is something that we would like to see being pushed more in the curriculum. We're all about checking out local talent, and this can't go unseen, well done kids! CLICK TO ZOOM.

Extension: Misha World x Other Criteria

Other Criteria are incredibly conspicuous,
but instrumentally important within the art world

The 'Other Criteria' franchise was initially formed as a publishing company by Damien Hirst, Hugh Allan and Frank Dunphy in 2005. With Jason Beard steering the creative outfit, the company has blossomed into art curating organisation we have today. The company now works with up-and-coming artist as well as Mr Hirst himself. Damien Hirst is currently regarded as one of Britain's most prolific contemporary artists and you may well be aware of his diamond encrusted skull, shark-in-a-box and pharmaceutical inspired artwork and architectural ventures. This worldwide phenomenon employs all sorts of artist to produce; Sculptures, Prints, Photographs, Jewellery and Clothing. The fact that the company is so diverse and eccentric means that they can have a wide range of good quality items that appeal to different Niche's within the artisan market.

Other Criteria's New Bond St building

Exhibition of Hirst's most prominent work

Hirst's famous butterfly exhibition

'Other Criteria' has won many prestigious awards throughout its 7-year span of life. This simple idea has gone from strength to strength and is now part of a vast team that sells quality merchandise either online or via one of their two shops in London 36 New Bond Street and 14 Hinde Street. Other Criteria are set to host the S/S launch of the stunning set of Mischa World scarves and prints for this upcoming season. If you take a look below, you will find some images of artist Misha Milovanovic's collection. It is also interesting to gain an insight into the artist's thought process, and to help you do this we've provided a video which is quite a lot to take in, but very interesting and engaging nonetheless (see below).

'Hooligan' (Red Star) – Misha Milovanovich [950GBP]

'London Life scarf' – Misha Milovanovich [325GBP]

'Good Times Are Coming scarf' –
 Misha Milovanovich [325GBP]

Picasso scarf – Misha Milovanovic [325GBP]

Additional information on the upcoming Misha World exhibition and other artists can be sought out on the official Other Criteria website.

The Misha World exhibition preview begins Thursday 15 March 2012, 1700-1900(GMT) @ 14 Hinde Street, London, W1U 3BG

Shepard Fairey: The Simpsons and Legal Issues

Obey Propaganda graphic art

Shepard Fairey at The Simpsons 500th episode event

As subtly acclaimed streetwear designer and artist Shepard Fairey prepares for his introduction to The Simpsons special guest cameo 'hall of fame', we here at OBWD see it as a fitting opportunity to introduce this widely unknown figure to you UK viewers that don't already know. Shepard Fairey is a controversial figure in American art and clothing design. He is famous through his profound art and clothing design, of which features connotations of conspiracy theories and political propaganda. You will probably be aware of a streetwear brand called 'OBEY', this is Fairey's clothing label which instills this 'OBEY Propaganda' in clothing form. Like many streetwear label owners he began his trade on the underground doldrums as a graffiti artist in South Carolina. He also created prints on the undersides of skateboards before attending the Rhode Island School of Design where he attained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration in 1992. His first exhibition was titled Supply & Demand in partnership with his book, and was based at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Boston in late 2009. 

The iconic 'Andre the Giant' sticker

Fairey's 'Andre the Giant has a Posse' sticker campaign (above) launched in 1989 and was to be the pedestal for purveying his street art brand. He then went on to create the instrumentally iconic Andre the Giant stencil of which he is critically acclaimed for. 19 years later he would produce the creative brilliance which would help President Barack Obama storm to the top of the popularity polls in the run up to the 2008 elections, placing him in good stead with the youth electorate.

Fairey (second right) with spray paint can in pocket

Fairey is said to be appearing in an episode entitled 'Exit Through the Kwik-e-Mart. This is said to be a direct play on a Banksy Oscar-nominated documentary called 'Exit Through the Gift Shop'. In this episode Bart is said to want to pursue a hobby in street art, he later gets caught out by Shepard Fairey and three other well known artists Ron English, Kenny Scharf and Robbie Conal, who to Bart's surprise invite him to have his work displayed in a gallery - interesting stuff! The episode will premiere on FOX in the US on March 4. 

Shepard Fairey is said to have lied about the photo used in the 'HOPE' campaign 

Shepard Fairey has recently pleaded guilty in a copyright infringement case involving the Barack Obama 'HOPE' campaign posters and the Associated Press (US). Fairey is said to have lied about which photo he used to create the posters of which he has admitted in court. He could face up to 6 month behind bars and a maximum fine of 5000USD which is completely baffling. This all appears to have come straight out of the blue as the 42-year-old is a phenomenally talented artist who has produced some eye-opening pieces of work spanning decades. Could this be a plot to land the man behind bars who has an influential swing at this moment in time in the States, a man who creates highly influential propaganda? Who knows!

Information about Shepard Fairey and OBEY Clothing can be found on the official website.

Causes: ART AGAINST KNIVES

Art Against Knives from Nev Brook on Vimeo.

The other day I (Tendai) was reading through my daily copy of the i newspaper as you do, and I came across an advertisement for an art exhibition in Shoreditch, London called 'ART AGAINST KNIVES'. The advertisement pictured a captivating image of a knife on a cliff edge with half of it hanging off in a Salvador Dali style (below). Art Against Knives is exactly what it says on the tin. It is an exhibition which aims to enlighten the public of the adverse rates of violent crimes associated with knives in London's worst areas. This follows the callous stabbing of young art student, Oliver Hemsley who attends the Central Saint Martins's College of Art & Design, which left him wheelchairbound. It is this that is the driving motive of this moving, but visually stimulating campaign - please watch the video above. It is important that art is studied in relation to fashion as it is a feature which plays a massive role in a lot of clothing design. Here are some of the pieces of art featured in the exhibition...

Art Against Knives have a collection of tees in various colours which have been inspired by art and Oliver Hemsley with all proceeds going to the Art Against Knives charity. The design is a colourful, but groovy tribute to the young man at the heart of this cause with a careful consideration to current fashion tastes and were created by the young artists heading the show. We love them here at OBWD and love the cause even more. Check out the design...

The Art Against Knives exhibition is ongoing at the BoxPark mall in Shoreditch, London.
The t-shirts are available on the official Art Against Knives website in various colours for the price of 31GBP. All proceeds go to the Art Against Knives charity. 

Prospects: Mishka S/S Collection Lookbook Teaser

Мишка Spring 2012 Lookbook [Teaser] from Мишка Bloglin on Vimeo.

We're loving the concept of this visual montage of a preview of the latest collection of Mishka garms, which are set to be made available this Spring. With a gritty soundtrack and a visually stimulating mood, the video portrays the edgy style of Mishka within the urban environment of New York in its native Brooklyn. There are definitely some exciting prospects emanating from the Brooklyn based street brand's preview video. We'll be bringing you the snaps of the latest threads as soon as they're available boys and girls, don't you worry! See what you guys think anwyay...

Director: Matthew Coren
Producer: Michael Cohn