Wasp Elder will be making his first trip to the United States for an eclectic group exhibition titled “CRAZE,” held at The Whole 9 Gallery at 3830 Main St in Culver City, CA. The exhibition, which runs from May 12 until June 2, is curated by Meryem Dipdere of the creative initiative Art no Cube, and celebrates a set of artists on the frontline of the London street art scene. By bringing the London streets to LA, the exhibition intends to bridge the gap between two thriving and world-renowned centers of counter culture.
About the Exhibition
CRAZE brings to the public eye, “seven rebellious innovators, political provocateurs, wits and poets, members of the biggest art movement in the 21st Century.” In addition to Wasp Elder, the exhibition will spotlight the work of street artists Helen Bur, Aida Wilde, Edwin, Mobstr, PANG and Darren Cullen. Though varied in practice, these artist’s share aesthetic sensibilities that reflect revolution, defiance, and the daily conditions of youth culture. With both Europe and America at a crucial juncture, facing an unsettling upheaval of their core values and tenants, these artists offer a window into the current political landscape using a visual methodology of rebellion. By highlighting the work of London’s most politically engaged artists, this exhibition “offers a slice of London’s commitment to defiance, to be matched by Los Angeles.”
About the Artist
Wasp Elder is a socially-engaged artist who paints pictures populated by enigmatic figures and unstressed backgrounds, enticing a sentiment of an obscure journey. His paintings present an evocative combination of solitary figures, collaged scenes, close-ups, obscured features, and potential catastrophe. Through this working process he is able to present often marginalised figures through a dignified representation, highlighting their humanity outside of the conflict that is seen to define them.
Along with a preview of his studio work that will be showing in the exhibition, we’ve included five of his most remarkable murals that shows the extraordinary talent this UK artist has.
Molly Muise (2017)
Moncton, Canada – Curated by Festival Inspire
About The Mural
The mural is based on a photography of Molly Muise, who is one of the first Mi‘kmaq women to be documented. As explained by Wasp Elder, the Mi‘kmaq are a first nations people indigenous to Canada and it was for him an honor to meet people from the Mi‘kmaq community who came and gave them a ritualistic blessing on site. While painting, he decided to rise their flag on the lift as a sign of solidarity to indigenous people all over the world and what they stand for.
A U G E N W I S C H E R E I (2017)
Chemnitz, Germany – curated by IBUG
About The Mural
The Direct translation in German is eyewash, but the meaning of the word is the distortion of facts or even hypocrisy and self deception. The artist tried to create an experimental piece of work that would echo how we filter information around us. The result being presented like a blurred memory of an idea or statement, not the statement itself.
Untitled (2017)
Turku, Finland – Curated by Upeart
About The Mural
The original picture is from Finnish photographer Eino Makinen. The picture originated from a film that he made in 1930 called winter village. Where he documented the cultural traditions and rituals of peasant life. In my reinterpretation I have cut the image up to show the fragility between generations.
Untitled (2017)
Odessa, Ukraine– Curated by Odessarium – murals
About The Mural
For this mural the artist chose a picture that he searched online that shows an old Ukrainian man focused on making his fishing net, connecting and weaving the lines of thread to create a whole. A young girl looks out into the complexities of the landscape, uncertain but stoic and strong. Old and young together, opposing ages, together in search of connection.
Leonie La Fontaine (2018)
Ostend, Belgium– Curated by the Crystal Ship
About The Mural
‘Leonie La Fontaine’ (1857- 1949), who is a Belgian pioneer feminist and pacifist. She was active in the international feminism struggle and was a member of the women’s international league for peace and freedom. The image is based on a photograph taken of her and her friend.
Wasp Elder: website | facebook | instagram
CRAZE EXHIBITION
From May 12 till June 2, 2018
The Whole 9 Gallery
3830 Main St, Culver City, CA
