The Urban Artists traveled to Hamburg showcasing some amazing paintings by favorites Jaybo Monk, Marco Pho Grassi, and many others. Jaybo coming correct, I love the recent geometric elements to his figurative work. Pho also delivers with some deeply penetrating works. I love the texture and his ability to bring feeling through paint. Overall a great set of artists showcasing some amazing paintings. You can read some more about the project below. All pictures Courtesy of Marco Grassi.

GF

“The Urban Artist is a traveling exhibition presenting a selection of progressive urban art from all over Europe and the US, exhibited in St. Pauli/ Hamburg from June, 9th-14th, 2011. This concept has been exposed at Soho House Berlin in early 2011 to more than 20.000 visitors. The team of the Urban Artist is happy to pop up in Hamburg now. Unveiling a very special location and brand new art works from:

JAYBO MONK/ Berlin – AARON ROSE/ Los Angeles – CHRISTIAN AWE/ Berlin – STOHEAD/ Berlin – ANTON UNAI/ Barcelona – XOOOOX/ Berlin – STEFAN STRUMBEL/ Offenburg – KELSEY BROOKES/ San Diego (Cali) – MARCO ”PhO“ GRASSI/ Milano – MARCEL WALLDORF/ Dresden – VARIOUS & GOULD/ Berlin – HELLE MARDAHL/ Kopenhagen – JONATHAN YEO/ London – KEVIN EARL TAYLOR/ San Francisco – KATRIN FRIDRIKS/ Paris

Since the turn of the millennium a new type of artist, the Urban Artist, has emerged. He has influenced the cultural scene as a creative thinker and leader of subcultural expressions taking on the role of album cover designer for progressive punk, electro or hip-hop bands, graffiti writing innovator, avant-garde fashion designer, or street art activist. Today these same urban artists have become indispensable to the world of contemporary art, as many more make the transition from applied arts to the field of fine art. In addition to the alternative forms of presentations such as that of city streets, they produce art works for galleries and museums who are increasingly putting together shows of urban inspired pieces.
Some urban artists have engaged with ideas in an academic context, while others celebrate international success as self-taught practitioners. What these artists have in common, however, is the prevalence of an attitude absent in the academies. They are brimming with innovative spirit and radicalism – employing differentiating concepts, aesthetics and techniques that can only be incurred by the exposure to a subcultural tradition. The most immediately obvious departure from a more classical practice is the illegal use of the streets as medium, mediator, and translator; providing the friction necessary to transform life experience into art.”