Getting Up


With new talents continuing to emerge in the movement, two developments occurred. The work of street artists became more and more diverse and, at the same time, their way of expressing themselves grew broader – often making monumental work on repurposed surfaces.

Immersing themselves in a place, all of these artists – by meticulously cutting, pasting, weaving and stenciling – produced imposing, unmissable facades. Drawing inspiration from many sources, but primarily from the city itself, this renewed approach was a response to those skeptical about the future of Street Art.

Increasingly combining Street Art aesthetics with other traditional practices these artists have managed to make their works both unique and revolutionary. 

Highlights 
Felipe Pantone (b. 1986)
 
Felipe Pantone (b. 1986)

Chromadynamica
Created on site at the ArtScience Museum
January 2018

Pantone began graffiti at the age of 12 and went on to graduate with a Fine Art degree in Valencia, Spain. Pantone’s bright graphic style is at the forefront of street and urban contemporary art. Using strong colours, sharp edges and bold shapes, his work draws on the history of both Op Art and Kinetic Art. Pantone has developed his own personal avant-garde artistic style that has echoes of the garish 80s atmosphere – saturated colours, synth pop and SMPTE colour bars on the TV.

Sheryo-and-yok
 
Sheryo & Yok (b. 1984 and b. 1978 respectively)

Outlaws of Style
Created on site at the ArtScience Museum
January 2018

Sheryo is a Brooklyn-based Singaporean artist who started painting in the streets in 2005. Her art seeks to investigate, analyze and document the human psyche and frustrations towards contemporary lifestyles and their fleeting nature. Yok is an Australian artist who grew up fuelled by Ren and Stimpy cartoons and skateboarding graphics that had a major influence on his style. After studying a Bachelor of Arts degree at Singapore’s Curtin University, Yok had a yearning to see and do more elsewhere which saw him spend time and exhibit in places like Melbourne, Sydney, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanghai, New York, Tokyo and London.
Vhils (Alexandre Farto b. 1987)
 
Vhils (Alexandre Farto b. 1987)
Shanghai Carved Wall, 2012
Photograph of carved wall, Shanghai
Courtesy of the artist
Photo: courtesy of the artist
 
For Vhils, the street is both his medium and his inspiration. He uses walls or discarded scraps of posters he finds to engrave or etch faces, landscapes and letters. He imbues often neglected surfaces with new meaning. Context is an integral part of his work, exposing meaning and enhancing the space aesthetically. 

Swoon (b.1978)
 
Swoon (b.1978)
Zahra, 2017
Original printmaking on mylar enhanced with acrylic
Courtesy of Magda Danysz Gallery
Photo: courtesy of the artist
 
Swoon began her career by creating pasted works on the streets of New York. She applies classical engraving techniques to numerous repurposed surfaces. She draws inspiration from many sources, but predominantly from the city itself. Her pieces most often depict unknown individuals that symbolise her socially engaged humanist vision.