Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was a master of celebrity cult. From 1962, portraits played a major role in

his oeuvre, even though he was not a portraitist in the traditional sense of the word.

After Marilyn Monroe took her life on 5th August 1962, a sensation industry set about

creating her apotheosis. Warhol played an artistic part in this process in his own way. He

had just begun experimenting with photographs of film stars when the news of

Marilyn’s death broke. Now he produced memorial pictures with iconic status.

The Marilyn Monroe screen prints are based on a still taken during the filming of

“Niagara” 1953. The ten screen prints of Marilyn Monroe were printed in an original

edition of 250. All of the prints from the original edition of 250 were signed in pencil and

numbered with a rubber stamp on verso.

The screen prints we have on display were autherised by Warhol to be printed by

Sunday B. Morning, a Swiss publisher, who issued portfolios of both the Marilyn’s and

Flowers. Instead of a rubber stamp on the back saying "Andy Warhol" these have a

stamp saying "Sunday B Morning" and " Add your own signature here". The very thing

Warhol had objected to was that the signature was more important than the art.

All prints by Sunday B. Morning, are handmade screen prints on hard paper, printed

with the highest quality archival inks, using the same techniques as the original prints by

Andy Warhol and the Factory in the late 1960’s. This makes a wonderful opportunity of

to buy something that is regarded as one of the ‘Art-Masterpieces of the 20th Century’.

Each screen print comes with a certificate of authenticity and are featured in the Andy

Warhol Catalogue Raisonne.

Marilyn Monroe open edition print 36”x36”

Flowers series 36”x36”

Blek Le Rat (1952)

Blek Le Rat is considered the Godfather and originator of Street Art.

Influenced originally by the early graffiti art in New York after a visit in 1971, he

continued to choose a style that was more suited to Paris due to the differing

architecture. He started painting stencils of rats on the street walls of Paris, describing

the rat as the ‘only free animal in the city’ and ‘one that spreads the plague everywhere

first like street art’.

French authorities soon discovered Blek’s identity in 1991 when he was arrested whilst

stenciling a replica of Caravaggio’s ‘Madonna and child’.

There are of course comparisons to the infamous Banksy. An article in the Sunday times

actually described Blek as ‘the man who gave birth to Banksy’. Both artists are playful in

their technique and concept, however Blek is more surreal and a little less focused on

social commentary. He attempts to transcend the grittiness of an urban setting and

instill a sense of the fantastical.

Banksy later acknowledged Blek’s influence on him by stating “Everytime I think I’ve

painted something slightly original, I find that Blek has done it as well twenty years

earlier”.

In October 2006, Blek Le Rat had his first solo show in the U.K at Leonard St. Gallery in

London. His American Gallery debut took place at Subliminal Projects Gallery in Los

Angeles. Blek has hugely influenced today’s’ graffiti and guerilla art and, predicts a major

art revolution in the next twenty years. He states:

“The street art movement started 40 years ago in the USA, but we are still only at the

beginning. Artists will find new ways to display and sell work that will have nothing to do

with investment and galleries. Until then, I’ll keep working, but only on public walls. I’m

too old for illegal ones.”

His Masters Voiceless (Red) 2008 74x72.5cm

David Farren(1972)

Born in 1972, David Farren now lives and works at his home in Lytham St. Annes,

Lancashire.

Since turning professional in 2000, David has quickly gained a reputation as a modern

impressionist, using open brushwork and colour to represent the energy and movement

of the urban landscape. He aims to capture the ambience and individuality of cities and

provide a snapshot of everyday street life.

David paints in both oil and acrylic, enjoying the immediacy and versatility of both

mediums, appropriate for his direct style of painting. He is fascinated by the changing

light within his urban scenes and uses colour to portray its effects on steel, glass and

rain washed streets.

Recognised as a major talent, David exhibits widely in leading galleries across the UK and

his paintings can be found in collections across the UK and abroad.

Late October Afternoon, Albert Square 24”x24”

Dennis Wood

(b.1947) Bradford, England

Born in Bradford and educated at Bradford’s Regional College of Art, Dennis Wood

originally trained as a graphic designer before discovering his talent as an abstract artist.

Dennis only thinks in an abstract way. He has learnt how to eliminate detail and to apply

abstract principles to almost anything. His aim is to stimulate vision rather than simply

satisfy established conventions of taste.

Wood comments, “Whilst at Bradford Art College I learned how to use alternative forms

of art and how to think in an abstract way. I learned to eliminate detail and to apply

abstract principles to almost anything. My aim is to stimulate vision rather than simply

satisfy established conventions of taste.

A typical day for me is to just paint and paint - I paint until I drop. If I’m on form and I’m

painting well I will paint maybe for 20 hours non-stop - I always know when to paint and

when not to. I never plan a painting; I just start out, explore the options and go for it.“

Wood’s artwork is available as originals on canvas and also published as limited edition

prints. His work can be seen in many collections throughout Europe, Canada and the

USA.

Abstact 1 91cmx91cm

Glyn Macey

(1969)

Glyn Macey is a Cornish artist based in Penzance and has lived there since completing

his HND in 1991.

He worked as a successful designer until 1998 when he 'retired' from designing in order

to devote his time solely to painting. Glyn Macey's paintings can be seen in many

collections world-wide and his design work is found in many major high street retailers.

2001 saw the publication worldwide of posters by The Art Group and limited edition

silkscreens by CCA Galleries.

He can often be found roaming the harbours, moorland and coast of his native West

Cornwall, sketchbook in hand recording the details of daily Cornish life and history. Such

sketches are in turn used as the basis for the studio paintings.

Using acrylic, mixed media and an array of mark making techniques he endeavours to

capture the underlying essence of the landscape, the essence that shapes the landscape

and the people who live in it. Many people see a continental look to his paintings. This is

explained by his many visits to the South of France, Spain and the Mediterranean. Closer

to Glyn's Cornish home, the summer landscape of West Cornwall has the same

Continental feel.

Glyn uses acrylic, pencil and collage to gain the spontaneity of his work and the 'happy

accidents' that he loves. By building and glazing colour he is able to gain a rich depth. He

believes that the unexpected unity of colour and texture in mixed media can often

create the most exciting results.

Glyn's paintings can be seen at select galleries around the U.K. From a collectable point

of view, Glyn Macey is currently filming a series with Caroline Quentin. The ten part

series will feature Glyn in seven episodes, proving already how successful and well

recognised he is.

The Magic of St. Ives90”x60”

Mixed Media on board

Harry Brioche

Harry Brioche was born in the Seychelles, 1965. He moved to England in 1980 and

currently resides in the North West. Despite attending Art College, Harry is largely a self-

taught artist. Following an ultimatum, by his college lecturers to conform to the

institutions style and methods of paintings, he ultimately decided to go it alone. Harry

went on to carve out a highly successful career as an illustrator and graphic designer

with his company Tom Dick and Harry, working with world renowned brands including

Dr Martens, Coca Cola and BAE Systems.

From an early age, Harry was captivated by the drama and beauty of the atmospheric

ever changing British sky and landscape, which was in sharp contrast to that of the

Seychelles.

Harry states; “The landscape is almost incidental, my main objectives are to try and

capture the atmosphere and 'spirit' of a place. Ultimately it is the mood and light within

the painting which becomes the central theme. As an artist I paint subjects that inspire

me, and bring me, and hopefully others pleasure.”

Harry’s work is regularly exhibited at the Mall Gallery in London through the NEAC, ROI

and the RBA annual exhibitions.

With his total commitment and passion for his art, and the creation of such beautiful

pieces it is no surprise that his original paintings now hang in private and corporate

collections around the world. Harry is undoubtedly assured of continued success and

longevity.

September Song Oil on canvas24”X18”

Marc Grimshaw (1957)

Marc Grimshaw was born in Macclesfield in 1957. After moving to Manchester he

attended a local school and progressed to the Manchester School of Art. His passion for

art led to a two-year course at South Trafford College where he covered a broad

spectrum of subjects including Art Design and Graphics. After a few years in full-time

employment he turned professional and has established himself as a very talented and

versatile artist. He is renowned for his work in pastel, particularly his depictions of street

life in the fifties and sixties.

More recently, Grimshaw has taken to capturing portraits of iconic celebrities such as

Audrey Hepburn and Al Pacino. Moving away from his traditional use of pastel, he uses

oil paint; the portrait cleverly constructed by loose but perfectly laid out brushstrokes.

Marc Grimshaw is an excellent draftsman. His work has become highly collectable

featuring in collections within the UK and abroad. He also fulfils commissions with the

B.B.C, University of Manchester, Granada T.V and Shell U.K.

John Lennon pastel 16.5”x23.5”

Olivia Pilling (b. 1986)

Olivia Pilling is currently regarded as one of the regions most exciting young artists.

Olivia attended Blackburn College of Art and Nottingham Trent University. Upon

graduating, she moved back to her hometown of rural Todmorden and started painting

full time. Naturally, Pilling found her inspiration in the rural landscape; her paintings of

hills, valleys, mills and chimneys came together forming natural abstracted shapes and

linear lines.

Having recently moved from the rural settings of Todmorden to now be living in

Manchester city centre, the work showcases her inspiring urban localities. The elements

of bright colours, dark contrasts, shadowy subject matter and loose technique come

together to provide an end result of an image that rides a fine line between spontaneity,

calculation and control.

The paintings are both an expression and an impression of the subject. There is no

doubt that Olivia Pilings’ work will grow in reputation and value.

Traffic through Albert SquareAcrylic on canvas 30”x20”

Russell Harris: Pop art

Inspired by the father of spin-art, Eugene R. Pera (the first known professional artist to

use the technique), and more recently Damien Hirst, Russell decided the time was right

to let out his inner Jackson Pollock!

After months of trial and error Russell has perfected a technique that enables him to

spin large (up to 2mx2m) deep-framed canvases at varying speeds, whilst creating his

works of art using household gloss. Using classic album tracks by the likes of Pink Floyd,

Led Zeppelin and The Beatles as a theme, Russell has produced a large body of pop art

from his small studio in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The results have been well

received by the art community and Russell is now selling his paintings, both online and

through various city-centre galleries.

Each unique painting is signed. Some have been spun as part of a series, whilst others

are meant for individual display.

Russell Harris is also an award winning producer, television presenter for BBC 2 and

Channel 4 and also a very successful designer and renovator. His passions and interests

are evidently varied.

The Difference between me and you is that I’m not on fire.