Art

The artist as art - Mr Brainwash comes to New Oxford Street

sssukiii | Monday 13 August, 2012 09:16

Mr Brainwash
The Old Sorting Office, New Oxford Street, London.W1
Until August 29th

LA-based street artist, Thierry Guetta, aka Mr Brainwash, has risen to international eminence over the last decade. He featured in Banksy’s Exit Through the Giftshop and also designed the cover for Madonna’s Celebration album in 2009.

In his first UK solo show, Thierry has taken over the gigantic vault-like Old Sorting Office, transforming the former Post Office property into a wonderland of brash large-scale installations.

Several life-sized horses, washed with primary paint overlook popular icons, depicted in collage and vinyl.

The crowds can’t seem to take enough photos of the work on display which is a spectacular and tangible narrative about the process and defiance of performance art. The artist has clearly had as much fun creating a giant gorilla out of tires, as more intricate iconic portraits and tableaus.

Brainwash also clearly loves paint, which is dripped, splashed and drenched over otherwise perfect Conran chairs and tables, using the empty paint cans to then assemble new sculptures.

Attendees are generously lavished with posters and postcards as they leave.

Follow this writer at @sssukiii

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