.png)
Bridget Riley, About Lilac, 2007
Op-artist Bridget Riley brings her signature Swinging Sixties style to the Noughties, with the geometric silkscreen ‘About Lilac’. After studying at Goldsmiths’ College and the Royal College of Art, Riley transitioned to making art full-time, creating monochromatic pieces early in her career, and gaining recognition for her colourful works, like this one.
Shepard Fairey, Chinese Soldiers, 2007
Shepard Fairey rose to prominence in the early 1990s as a major figure of the contemporary street art movement, activist, and a founder of OBEY Clothing. Famous for his iconic 2008 “Hope” campaign poster for President Barack Obama, Fairey’s views on politics are expressed via his art in a vintage style. ‘Chinese Soldiers’ incorporates spray paint, stencil and mixed media, featuring a dove of peace above the two soldiers to show Fairey’s opinions on war.
Chris Levine, Lightness of Being (Lenticular), 2004
UK-based Chris Levine’s artwork focuses primarily on the concept of light and perception. He is best-known for his piece Lightness of Being (2004), capturing the late Queen Elizabeth with her eyes closed. With this series, Levine creates intimate and unguarded pieces which have been exhibited in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Milan.
In this piece, the elusive street artist Banksy parodies Joe Rosenthal's iconic photograph 'Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima' by replacing the US marines with urban youths clambering onto a derelict car. In typical Banksy style, he criticises Western imperialism, and the concept of taking pride in military conquest.
Iconic British artist Damien Hirst is renowned for his works that explore themes of art, science, religion, beauty, and mortality. This piece continues his Pharmaceutical Paintings series, in which he blends his signature spot paintings with the chemical structures of controlled substances. In this work, Hirst depicts Histidyl, a common decongestant used to treat colds and allergies.
All of these pieces are available to bid on in our Urban & Contemporary Art auction! View all pieces here, or bid live in-person on 18th September.
Visit our pop-up preview gallery opening Friday 13th September, 10am - 6pm daily.
Unit 6, Dray Walk Gallery, London, E1 6QL.