the street is our gallery

April 28, 2016 to May 28, 2016

The first UK solo exhibition from celebrated New York-based artist Bradley Theodore.

Bradley Theodore’s signature style is distinguishable by its use of vibrantly coloured skeletal figures – a motif that the artist regards as representative of the inner life force of the subject. In Theodore’s trademark style, famous figures from popular culture are stripped back to Día de Muertos-esque versions of themselves. Historical figures including Marie Antoinette and Mona Lisa line up alongside modern day celebrities Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid and fashion icons Coco Chanel, Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld.

The London exhibition, set across two floors of the gallery, will feature Theodore’s striking large-scale canvases including The Ball of Marie Antoinette, The Last Supper and Mona Lisa. In keeping with his belief that ‘fashion allows people to become art’ the artist’s pop-art works on paper that immortalise fashion icons will also be on display.

Theodore started out as a street artist and has decorated the walls of international cities from Tokyo to New York with his vibrant murals. It is this use of the city as a canvas for his art that has prompted comparisons with New York icon Jean-Michel Basquiat and the UK’s ever-elusive Banksy.

Theodore regards his viewers as the most important reviewers of his work and invites them into his studio to watch him paint; the aim is to make his work accessible to fans. This democratic approach to art is a motivating force for the artist and has succeeded in engaging the global public. The strength of his work has not escaped the notice of the high profile either: Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne and Anna Wintour all own pieces and he recently created a bespoke piece for the Marc Jacobs store in New York’s SoHo.

The opening night of Son of the Soil will feature a live painting installation and Theodore’s entourage of well-known supporters will be in attendance.

LOCATION

Maddox Gallery,

9 Maddox Street, London W1S 2QE

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-6pm