Flyboy London
Three editions in bronze
by , Hebru Brantley x Fluorescent Smogg
When: Thursday 17th August 2017, 630pm-1030 pm (Private View: RSVP/ Guest List only:
UK rapper to give never before seen synched music-art-light performance.
Friday18t h August,10am-5pm Saturday19t h August,10am-5pm(
Where: Arch 402, Cremer Street, London E2 8HD, UK
Fluorescent Smogg and 3tone Art are extremely proud to present a groundbreaking collaboration with Hebru Brantley for his first ever bronze sculptures in a sensational immersive show, Flyboy London. Already renowned globally, Hebru Brantley’s star is in the ascendant, with his first US museum show coming up in September.
For the very limited edition Flyboy sculptures, Chicago’s Brantley worked closely with Fluorescent Smogg for a year to realise his vision. His iconic Flyboy character has never been made in bronze before. Of paramount importance to Fluorescent Smogg was to produce sculptures of the absolute highest fine art standard. The pieces were initially sculpted by Brantley and Fluorescent Smogg, then cast by one of the world’s leading fine art specialists using 3000 year old methods perfected by Renaissance artists such as Donatello and Lorenzo Ghiberti. The three editions are beautifully finished in classic bronze, gold and green patina. Throughout history, bronze has been considered the ultimate fine art medium, with its potential lifespan of hundreds of years.
Brantley is famous for his conceptualised characters that create urban narratives, explore pop culture and challenge traditional interpretations of heroes and protagonists. Flyboy is by far the most recognisable of Brantley’s iconic images. Previously he has worked in media as diverse as wood, found objects, spray paint, coffee and tea.
Fluorescent Smogg are renowned across Europe for their thrilling site-specific installations and immaculate art production. For Flyboy London, everything has bee n curated scrupulously – from the very bricks and mortar of the unique venue itself, to plinth production and choreographed lighting – to produce a stunning immersive experience – powerfully focussed into a three-day show.
Hebru Brantley spoke about his pioneering bronze collaboration with Fluorescent Smogg:
“I am excited to finally be working within this medium. I have created in several other mediums and have been working up to this point. Bronze is such a historically respected medium in the art world that it is truly a unique experience to see my work in this way. ”
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Notes to Editors
About Hebru
Brantley Hebru Brantley creates narrative-driven work that revolves around his conceptualised iconic characters, which he uses to address complex ideas around nostalgia, the mental psyche, power and hope. The colour palettes, pop-art motifs and characters themselves create accessibility around Brantley’s layered and multifaceted ideas.
Majorly influenced by the South Side of Chicago’s Afro Cobra movement in the 1960s and 70s, he uses the lineage of mural and graffiti work as a frame to explore his inquiries. He applies a plethora of mediums from oil, acrylic, watercolor and spray paint to non-traditional mediums such as coffee and tea. Brantley’s work challenges the traditional view of the hero or protagonist; his work insists on a contemporary and distinct narrative that shapes and impacts the viewer’s gaze.
His US following is now so large, his first museum show is coming up on September 9, 2017
at Elmhurst Art Museum. Recognized nationally for public works and solo shows in Chicago, he has also exhibited in London, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, LA and NYC, including Art Basel Switzerland, Art Basel Miami, Scope NYC and Frieze London.
Brantley has been recognised in publications such as Chicago Tribune, Complex Magazine and NY Post. His work has been collected by Lupe Fiasco, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, basketball star Amar’e Stoudemire, Jay-Z and Beyonce. His collaborations with brands include Nike, Hublot and Adidas.
About Fluorescent Smogg
Fluorescent Smogg was set up by UK artist Sickboy to be the finest quality art rendering, limited edition creating and art show production house in its field. In five short years he has achieved this by bringing together a dream team of talent and expertise that he has encountered over 20 years in the world of Urban Contemporary art.
Only craftsmen, suppliers and artworkers at the top of their game are engaged in a Fluorescent Smogg project, wherever it may be on the globe. With their production bases having been in Barcelona, Bristol and London, and a history of hit international events, they are renowned for always delivering immaculate quality art and groundbreaking immersive shows, worldwide.
All enquiries please to [email protected]