Finding Your Urban Style
The appeal of Urban Art is catching. This modern genre continues to attract a growing following of New Zealand art lovers. We see its increased popularity in action with the different artworks that move through the Gallery each week. A client may come to us with a request for… something ‘a little edgy’, perhaps youthful, reflecting our modern urban lifestyle. And we are delighted to provide some awesome choice. We’re fortunate to partner with several local artists that are masters of this style in their own unique and compelling way.
Read on to find out more about the Urban Art style, and some of the local artists standing out in this space...
Broadly the term 'urban art' draws on street art, and in some cases a graffiti style, but essentially it describes art inspired by urban lifestyles and urban architecture. Perhaps you might think of it as street art brought onto canvas. But don’t limit its breadth - pop art influences and contemporary approaches all feed into this energetic art style.
One great influencer of urban art was Jean-Michel Basquiat an American artist who first achieved notoriety in the 1970s through his graffiti tag SAMO, a collaboration with a friend. The SAMO duo wrote cryptic messages on walls across the Lower East Side of Manhattan. By the 1980s Basquit’s paintings were being exhibited in galleries internationally. Basquiat's art mixed and contrasted concepts like wealth and poverty, integration and segregation. He died at the young age of 27 in the 1980s, but the powerful impact of his art lives on - in 2017 one of his paintings sold for $110M US dollars.
Another well-known artist and influencer is of course Banksy, the anonymous street artist, based in England. His distinctive stencil approach to graffiti, which first captured attention in the 1990’s, is now universally famous. His work will often engage political themes and satire.
There’s something special and captivating about the urban art style and New Zealand artists are thriving in this space.
Here are some talented local artists to keep an eye on:
JOEL HART
Joel Hart creates beautiful mixed media images using stencil, print, acrylics and other techniques to create a contemporary, urban-infused art style. Inspired by modern popular culture, touching on themes of love and death, Joel’s art tells stories of strength and hope through juxtaposed elements. He brings influential images of the past and present together to create a sense of raw emotion and passion.
BRAD NOVAK
Brad Novak's profile as a leading urban artist (aka New Blood Pop) continues, with a large fan-base and a cutting edge body of work that skilfully splices fine art and street art. In early 2015 Novak’s debut solo show hinted at the interest around this artist with hundreds of people through the event in only 2 hours. His art has been shown alongside art megastars Warhol and Banksy. At its heart his work is about connections – within and between works, between the artist and his works, and also with the public. His motto ‘Never Stop Dreaming’ calls for us to treasure our childhood passions and creativity.
RUSH
While Rachel Rush has been a successful contemporary artist for many years, she actually enjoys a fabulous double life. Rachel offers the world another lens through her alter ego RUSH. RUSH is an alternative portfolio of fresh, bold urban art. It evolved from her love of all the amazing street art from around the world - the alleyways of Melbourne, the surviving slabs of the Berlin Wall and the gritty streets of New York. RUSH was inspired to capture the energy and feeling from the streets, and to put it up on canvas, creating each painting to become a piece of the bigger picture.
ERCAN CAIRNS
Born in 2001, Ercan Cairns is a young painter of Tongan, Maori & German decent. While he may be at the beginning of his career he has started it with exciting confidence and flair. Ercan recently completed a residency at Selaka Art Studio in Tonga. His abstract art is described as bold, free and fearless. He considers the likes of Basquiat and Picasso as inspirations. We expect to see more from Ercan Cairns as he continues to draw attention in the art world.
SHEYNE TUFFERY
Sheyne Tuffery’s prints and paintings draw on his research into Samoan heritage and symbolism. His art depicts Polynesia as a ‘futuristic urban utopia’ with the Samoan fale embodying skyscrapers and apartments, and a vaka as rocket ships. His fascination with NZ’s geological history and extinct birds has seen giant penguin and moa feature. Cars may appear as symbols of urban migration. Sheyne’s art is also influenced by the world of fantasy, comics and cartoons, which adds a touch of humour to his wonderful technique.
These are just a few of the talented local artists making waves with their urban art style.
If you’re interested in exploring this style further and looking at the latest works in this space, please get in contact with us here at the Art Bureau. It’s a pleasure to place a piece of art in a modern home, or growing business scene, that literally jumps off the wall with attitude. At the Art Bureau we provide an art selection, purchase or hire service and can help you bring urban energy, life and style to your walls.
