Wednesday, 25 April 2012

Stik's and Stones

Stik's and Stones



As a small time graffiti artist myself, I like to think I can express an opinion on what it is to be one as well as expressing an opinion on others work which is labelled as such. I see graffiti as a free form of art, constantly changing and evolving, and over the years I think it has. I am studying at University at the moment and my work is constantly changing, I hope improving as well. In 2009 and 2010 I attended an urban paint festival called “UPFEST” in Bristol where I was one of the 150 Artists putting up work throughout the course of a day for viewing members of the public. I remember seeing one of Stik’s pieces in a prime position on stage in the bar/gallery area of the venue. In my opinion it looked  the same as most of his other pieces with nothing to make it particularly stand out.

Stik Upfest 2009


Stik Upfest 2010

Imitate Modern Art Contemporary Art Gallery (2012) Available at http://imitatemodern.com/artists/stik/     (Accessed: 24 April 2012)


IF YOU HIGHLIGHT THIS YOU CAN READ IT.
A critique of Styk’s work can be found online at the Imitate Modern Art Gallery “Deceptively simple, with just six lines each and dots for eyes, they are packed with subtle form and emotions, showing an extraordinary ability to reflect human psychology and diversity.” (Imitate Modern, 2012). I cannot see the validity in this remark. His work leaves me uninspired and slightly misplaced in society. Maybe it is out of jealousy that I dislike his work but it gets a lot of credit for something I am blind to see, and this frustrates me. His work reminds me more of a franchise logo that’s been repeated so many times it has accumulated some value but I question for how long will it retain this value. In 50 years will he be seen as a pioneer of street art?  will his work fade into the layers of fresh paint?

 I met an artist at Upfest called “Pahnl” http://pahnl.co.uk/on_street.php, who uses a similar stick man style figure’s but in my view in far more ingenious witty ways, every new piece he does has new ambitions and ideas. Yet he is not interviewed on sky news and given the publicity Stik has had.

Reference list.

Imitate Modern Art Contemporary Art Gallery (2012) Available at http://imitatemodern.com/artists/stik/     (Accessed: 24 April 2012)

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