“Street Art” encompasses a variety of artistic expressions. Since ancient times, drawing onto a surface, especially a natural one, has been a method for recording life experiences. In contemporary times, beginning in the 1970s/80s in Europe and the United States, various artists have developed their practice by taking a synergetic approach to the notion of aesthetic taste typically associated to works of art. Keith Haring’s statement that “a wall is meant to be drawn on” started a process that has led to the recognition of Street Art as a form of visual art. Originally emerged as a semi-clandestine form of protest about forty years ago, the Street Art movement has produced, and continues to produce, talents capable of combining technique, expressive content and personal style. These artists, each with their own sensibility, try to “activate a surface and spread energy” and “transform a neutral anonymous surface by giving it personality” (Keith Haring). Since the 2000s, there has been a resurgence of media interest in Street Art, thanks to the stencil technique developed by artists such as Banksy. From then on, many artists all over the globe have combined contemporary social issues and personal compositions. One of the leading talents in the London Urban Art scene, Endless is 2
the artist who best gives expression to the drives and tensions of society today. He started out under the radar, painting London’s walls illegally. Work after work, he has increasingly captured the attention of passionate residents, attentive tourists, and even the media. This has led, as a natural consequence, to his transition to art galleries, and to international collaborations. Endless’ success is not merely due to the ability to take a proactive approach to the contemporary world, for his distinctive, expressive style speaks to a society that by now has developed a synergistic, symbiotic relationship with images. In this sense, Chanel’s logo (the famous crossed Cs) is used in a series called “Chapel London” where Endless turns the brand’s iconic eau de parfum bottle into an eau de pardun bottle, each time redesigned in different pop colours, and thus provides an artistic re-interpretation of a symbol of fashion and class. The same approach is used also with other multinational brands, which, with great irony, are placed in military and social contexts. Brands and icons of the star system are, moreover, additional elements enriching portraits of celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Kate Moss, Rita Ora, Winnie Harlow, Naomi Campbell, Karl Largerfeld, David Hayes, Frankie Dettori, and the
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Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate. Endless has also explored the interaction between different creative fields, such as fashion (he has combined, for instance, a bomb and a Dolce and Gabbana fabric) and, in particular, advertising, one of his best-known pieces being an urban art rework of the famous 1990s Calvin Klein advert featuring Marky Mark (among other things, his rework has been used for a social awareness campaign).
Rather than confining himself to themes related to the world of fashion, however, the London-based artist has explored a wide range of topics, including religion and eroticism, and always by means of symbolic compositions that are colourful and infused with irony. The fact that Endless depicts icons of our time makes him a natural and attractive endorser for numerous initiatives and collaborations, such as with Liberty London and the art couple Gilbert & George. He certainly has a bright future waiting for him, considering the many projects he has in the pipeline, including portraits commissioned by celebrities from the fashion, art, and sports worlds and the parody of a famous and controversial advert to be shown on billboards in London. With his face always covered to signify his connection with his clandestine beginnings, Endless creates art that becomes an actual part of the city. For this very reason, he will continue his success into the future, becoming one of the world’s greatest exponents of Street and Urban Art. info@continicontemporary.com 1) ENDLESS VENICE CHAPEL (ARTEMEA AND G' ART). PHOTO BY STEFANO CERETTI - FEEL PEOPLE 2) ENDLESS WITH GILBERT & GEORGE AT OPERA GALLERY FOR THE PREVIEW OF THE G&G CROTCH GRAB PAINTING. PHOTO BY ALEX WINN
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SUMMER - FALL 2018