Blek le Rat unveils a major solo exhibition featuring new paintings and prints at Woodbury House in Mayfair
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Wednesday, December 4, 2024


Blek le Rat unveils a major solo exhibition featuring new paintings and prints at Woodbury House in Mayfair
‘War & Peace’ by Blek le Rat is at Woodbury House, 29 Sackville St, London W1S 3DX from 19.06.2024 to 31.07.2024.



LONDON.- Woodbury House announced the highly anticipated exhibition, 'War & Peace’ by Blek le Rat. Blek le Rat is often referred to as the ‘Father of stencil graffiti’and is the most celebrated urban artist to come out of France.

Blek le Rat's new exhibition at Woodbury House features more than 50 new paintings and prints offering an insight into Blek's relationship with conflict, which was formed by a childhood growing up in post-war France and discussion about the First and Second World Wars around the family dinner table.

“Reflecting on my life, I realise that since my childhood, I have only known wars around me. I have been a passive witness…. I was lucky not to have had to fight. I had this privilege compared to other men. Despite this, wars have left their mark on me like an obsession that renews itself.” Blek le Rat



The Woodbury House exhibition is named after Leo Tolstoy's epic novel ‘War & Peace', and reflects Blek's exploration of humanity’s dichotomous state of being, examining notions of security and instability, harmony and hostility, resilience and torment, and life and death.

Blek has drawn inspiration from centuries of conflict - from the Middle Ages to the present day - in the hope of portraying the consistent theme of futile sacrifice that underlines the human condition. A highlight of the exhibition, the ‘Stallion of Sacrifice’ series, features a Persian warrior on horseback. The signature stencil work is based on a piece the artist saw on a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and which he felt perfectly embodied the universal soldier – powerful but, ultimately, vulnerable.



For over forty years, Blek has worked in and with dynamic urban landscapes. His artistic process, which sees him navigate these changing, sometimes hostile, environments, is akin to a game of chess where every move reveals new restrictions, opportunities, and narratives.

The artist’s decades-long experience in these shifting landscapes feeds into this exploration of the unpredictability of war, and more broadly, the uncertainty of our lives. It has also influenced the creative choices made around the scale and format of the works in ‘War & Peace’, considerations which Blek says, “…were particularly important in this exhibition, as they enhance the impact of my message.



Of the exhibition, Joseph Bannan, Partner, and Curator of Woodbury House says, “Each piece in ‘War & Peace’ is a testament to Blek’s commitment to infusing life into every canvas, drawing viewers into a world where history converges with contemporary consciousness.”

Summing up his hope for the exhibition - to begin a conversation with the viewer - Blek le Rat says, “I am curious to know what ‘War & Peace’ means to you.”



Blek le Rat was born Xavier Prou in Paris in 1952, and is a pioneer of the French street art scene. One of the first known graffiti artists in France, Blek made a name for himself for his signature stencils and is credited with kicking off the stencil graffiti movement. Blek’s stencil graffiti became instantly recognisable on the streets of Paris before going worldwide and spawning 1000s of imitations.

As well as new artworks exhibited at Woodbury House, Blek has been spotted in Soho and Mayfair creating new stencil art. See if you can spot the Blek le Rat artworks at locations including Grind on Kingly Street, The Devonshire Arms on Denman Street and Maddox Street in Mayfair.



Blek has also created a limited print run of ‘Art is not Peace but War’ to coincide with the Woodbury House exhibition.










Today's News

June 21, 2024

Albion Vu's Exhibition at ARTNET with a private art dealer Donna Leatherman: A Bold Exploration of Color and Form

Blek le Rat unveils a major solo exhibition featuring new paintings and prints at Woodbury House in Mayfair

Barbara Gladstone, an art dealer with a personal touch and global reach, dies at 89

Art Institute of Chicago announces "Ellsworth Kelly: Spectrum Colors Arranged by Chance"

Stonehenge is sprayed with orange powder in climate protest

Phoenix Art Museum receives major gift to expand dedicated fashion galleries

Donald Sutherland, shape-shifting movie star, dies at 88

Hauser & Wirth presents "Angel Otero. That First Rain in May"

Land art in Malibu gets a second chance

National Portrait Gallery opens first historical exhibition since reopening

FAMM, the first private museum in Europe dedicated to female artists, opens its doors in Mougins

Gaza's historic heart, now in ruins

The Schirn presents two new works by Selma Selman in a major solo exhibition

Hiền Hoàng wins Foam Paul Huf Award 2024

'Cats' returns, ditching the junkyard for queer ballroom

Centro Botín presents "Partitura" a solo exhibition dedicated to artist Silvia Bächli

The careful crafting of Austin Butler

After 40 years of dance, what happens to a dream fulfilled?

Exposing the designer behind the curtain

How Cage the Elephant's frontman nearly lost it all

Berlinische Galerie presents works by the recipient of the Förderpreis 2024: Hannah Höch

"Hannah Höch: Montierte Welten" opens at the Lower Belvedere

The Baltimore Museum of Art appoints new leaders for External Affairs and Education

The Brooklyn Academy of Music announces its next wave, and next steps

Michael Mikulec Discusses Creative Mastery and Philanthropy: From ESPN to Independent Art

How to get slim with a healthy routine l Lifestyle Tips

Parktown Residences: Urban Luxury Meets Community Living

The Benefits of Using YouTube to MP3 Converters for Offline Listening

Elevate Your Brand with Stunning Corporate Headshots NYC

Explore 6 Saudi Arabia UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Revolutionizing Digital Advertising: The Rise of AdTech Services

AI Development Company: Pioneering the Future of Technology




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful