EXHIBITIONISM by ALEX YOUNG

EXHIBITIONISM by ALEX YOUNG
Grenade Gallery, 212 Kensington Park Road, London W11
Wednesday 16 July – 12 August 2008



Ta-Da by Alex Young
Oil and spray paint, 110 x 90 cm


EXHIBITIONISM by Alex Young is a debut solo show based on alter egos and preconceptions. This is the second exhibition to take place at Grenade Art, the new gallery space for the urban art collective which launched in June, and runs from 16 July to 12 August.

Alex Young presents a body of work based on strippers and table dancers. The collection includes portraits and studies of exhibitionists, and explores the true nature of performers and their alternate personalities. He combines the traditional portrait process with in depth interviews to reveal compromising and honest depictions including Kitty Peels (see Ta-Da image above), a Burlesque performer and trapeze artist. Painted in oil and spray paint Young has incorporated linear shapes in this work to reflect her growing interest towards a career in the circus.

A focal point to the exhibition is the subjects’ use of fake names and alter egos, a practice also adopted by graffiti artists to allow a freedom of expression in public. The artist draws comparisons to his own personal experience as a graffiti artist, which developed in 1986 when he was 11 years old. Young continued to work in graffiti whilst studying graphic design at Richmond-Upon-Thames College, and later courses in computer graphics, illustration and visual communication.

In 2002 Young was voted one of the top 60 most talented graduates in Britain by Creative Review magazine. He currently resides in Brighton where he works as a freelance illustrator. He continues to paint walls, frequently working in L.A with the world renowned 7th Letter and MSK crews.

Alex works mainly in spray paint, markers, paint pens and different inks and dyes. He claims “My art work is not graffiti and my graffiti is not art. This is why I keep my two names separate. My art work under my given name and my graffiti under my adopted name”.

The show will consist of 11 pieces of original art as well as a selection of prints. Prices for the original art will range between £1200 - £4000. Prices on prints will range between £65 - £250. The private view will take place on Wednesday the 9th of July 2008, between 6.00 pm – 9.00pm.

For Press information and images:

Alice Parsons or Will Paget
PagetBaker PR
Tel: 020 7323 6963
Fax: 020 7580 9095
www.pagetbaker.com

Editors Notes:

Grenade Art
www.grenade-art.com
212 Kensington Park Road
London
W11 1NR
www.grenade-art.com

Grenade Art is a frontline initiative bringing together some of the most innovative and original street artists from across the globe. The London-based Collective provides an explosive showcase for 8 designers, illustrators, painters and sculptors, all of whom have been actively involved in street art and graffiti culture for the past two decades.

Founders Phil Taratutti and Max Polak have been involved with the London graffiti scene since the early 1990’s. Phil specialised in murals and community-based projects whilst Max was an active part of London’s graffiti sub culture. Max would often work in high risk conditions to create “the ultimate level of expression” in Europe’s Underground network. Since then both artists have witnessed the surreal rise of graffiti art, from the perception of vandalism to its prestigious place within the art establishment and commercial success in auction houses.