5 ARTISTS INFLUENCED BY CARTOONS AND COMICS

Many artists take inspiration from cartoons, popular culture and recognisable characters in their work, often using them satirically as a comment on consumer culture or our image-obsessed society. Cartoons and characters from popular culture are a fantastic tool for contemporary artists. Not only are they recognisable for their creative style and iconic characters, they can also act as a symbol for the society in which we operate.

REMEMBERING JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT. 10 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jean-Michel Basquiat born of Puerto Rican and Haitian descent was a prominent public figure in the New York City’s explosive art scene of the 1980s. His iconic paintings and drawings examining the colonial enterprise and his relationship to this legacy. Recounting events from Haitian, Puerto Rican, African and African American history thrust him into a world of fame and celebrity which would sadly be his demise. On August 12th, 1988, aged just 27, he was found dead in his apartment in NoHo, Manhattan after losing his struggle with heroin addiction.

YOUR GUIDE TO COLLECTING AND INVESTING IN ART

In the last two decades the global art market has grown significantly, and collecting art is no longer reserved for the rich & famous. The appetite for contemporary art is now undeniable with a wider variety of our society now buying and collecting works not just for the visual satisfaction but also as an investment for the future.

ANDY WARHOL: A SAFE BET ON SOUP CANS

Almost everyone is aware of Andy Warhol and his impact on pop and postmodern art. From the multimedia shows of the Exploding Plastic Inevitable to Warhol’s iconic silkscreen depictions of Marilyn Monroe, there seemed to be no limits to Warhol’s experimentation and genius. Though he has been gone for over 30 years, Warhol’s art continues to inspire people to this day.

10 OF BANKSY’S MOST FAMOUS WORKS

Banksy is arguably the most famous living artist in the world. The social and political themes of elusive street artist’s provocative paintings has had an influence on the art world for decades, and he is certainly one of the most popular artists we deal with here at ArtLife. Indeed, we always have plenty of interest from people keen to buy and sell Banksy’s work.

ARTISTS AT THEIR BEST UNDER CORONAVIRUS THREAT

The world is currently in the terrifying clutches of the deadly pandemic, Coronavirus. The respiratory virus took birth in Wuhan at the end of last year and has currently infected approximately 300,000 people and rising, with 13,000 deaths so far.

SHOULD YOU INVEST IN ANDY WARHOL?

Almost everyone is aware of Andy Warhol and his impact on pop and postmodern art. From the Exploding Plastic Inevitable multimedia touring show, which introduced the world to the music of The Velvet Underground, to his iconic silkscreen depictions of Marilyn Monroe, there seemed to be no limits to Warhol’s experimentation and genius. And though he has been gone for over 30 years, Warhol’s art continues to inspire people to this day

BEHIND THE LENS OF VOGUE: HOW FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER HELMUT NEWTON DEFINED THE MAGAZINE’S AESTHETIC

To say Helmut Newton was expecting the worst when he arrived at British Vogue in the late 1950s would be an understatement. “The Vogue studios in Golden Square were depressing and dusty, with terrible old wooden floors,” he wrote in his autobiography. “I was told that under the grassy square were the bodies of people who had died during the black plague. It was indicative of my whole feeling for the place.”

THE ART OF "SOCIALIZING" DURING ISOLATION

Who would have thought our future would rest on our very ability to remain in our homes?

HOW TO START YOUR ART COLLECTION

People get into collecting art for a variety of reasons, whether in the name of investment, aesthetics, or simply taking a keen interest in the career of one particular artist. Sadly, there are a huge number of factors which will put budding collectors off starting altogether, and the insider nature of dealers and galleries can make it especially daunting for newbies.

THE MET GALA 2019: CAMP

One of the most exciting events of the year in popular culture occurs on the first Monday of May in New York City. This spectacular event is known as the Met Ball. Flocked with A-listers accompanied by the fashion industry’s most influential designers, the fundraiser is one of the most grandiose and exclusive meetings of art and fashion in the world. The gala generates massive funds to support the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art each year.

ANDY WARHOL’S LIFE EXPOSED IN UNSEEN IMAGES

130,000 Unseen Photos of Andy Warhol Will Be Made Public

TOP 5 RECENT CONTEMPORARY ART AUCTION SALES

The art world has been turned on its head thanks to the coronavirus, and just one of the things impacted by the pandemic is the auction process. Lockdowns and social distancing measures have forced auction houses to close, preventing potential buyers from viewing and purchasing art in person as many normally would. This, paired with the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, means a fall in demand seems almost inevitable. However, some changes to the industry have enabled it to thrive in spite of the challenges.

A PLAGUED RELATIONSHIP: ART AND PANDEMICS

People often think that artists must live troubled lives in order to create truly great art. Whether or not the myth of the “tortured artist” is true, the fact remains that many of the world’s most brilliant artists lived through turbulent periods in history. If you try to imagine the perspective of artists who’ve experienced war, famine, pandemics, and other atrocities, it actually makes a lot of sense. After all, when the world seems to be crumbling around you, why not create something beautiful for future generations? The close connection between art and larger crises may not be evident at first glance. Artistic periods and movements often transcend individual events and are not always easy to define. That said, some catastrophic health crises had a profound impact on their time, compelling many artists to portray these events with their own unique styles and artistic vision.

LEGO LAUNCHES POP ART THEMED COLLECTION WITH ANDY WARHOL SETS

LEGO has launched a brand-new product line of buildable pop-culture themed LEGO wall ART. The collection includes Marvel’s Iron Man, Star Wars and Andy Warhol’s famous 1967 bright pink screen print of Marylin Monroe which can be recreated or redesigned using LEGO tiles.

SHREDDED BANKSY PRINT TO BE EXHIBITED IN GERMANY

The Banksy painting “Love in the Bin” that was famously shredded at Sotheby’s in London after it was auctioned is coming to a German museum February 5th to March 3rd.

BEST ART OF 2018

2018 was a year of inspiring and notable art. From the start of modern abstraction in the early 19th century to the unveiling of Obama portraits, 2018 was nothing short of spectacular. Here are the best exhibits of the year.

LIGHTSCAPES: RE-ENVISIONING THE SHANSHUIHUA

A style of landscape painting that was created over a 1000 years ago is evolving once again at the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles in an exhibit called “Lightscapes: Re-envisioning the Shanshuihua.”

INSIDE THE FACTORY: THE STUDIO WHERE ANDY WARHOL WORKED

The Factory may have been the name of Andy Warhol’s studio, but anyone with an interest in 1960s New York will know it was so much more than that. It quickly became the hip place for people from all walks of life — musicians, drag queens, models, socialites, drug addicts, adult film stars, and free-thinkers — to hang out and unleash their creative potential.

WHY ART IS AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE ASSET IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

Though no one knows how long the Coronavirus pandemic will go on, it has managed to rattle investors in the short-term. The longest bull market in US history came to a screeching halt as the deadly virus spread across the globe in late February. With markets and financial institutions teetering on the edge of a recession (or worse), it’s no mystery why many investors are looking for alternative assets, including art, to counter the volatility.

GREGORY SIFF ILLUSTRATES FOR WEXLER’S DELI PALM SPRINGS

LA-based artist Gregory Siff put his touch on the new Palm Springs location of acclaimed eatery Wexler’s, which opened at the Arrive hotel this October.

ANGER TO ART – NIGEL STEFANI

IT’S NOT UNUSUAL TO TURN TO ART WHEN TIMES ARE CHALLENGING.. The practice of Art as Meditation can offer an effective way to transform feelings of despair or confusion into tangible, beautiful outpourings, which can otherwise be difficult to express. 

FOUR REASONS WHY YOU NEED ART IN YOUR OFFICE

Art does more than enhance the space it’s in — a carefully curated collection defines the mood and ambience of an environment. This is why office spaces are ideal places to hang works of art, with your employees able to feel their benefits almost immediately. After all, a successful workforce isn’t just about the people in it, but the space itself, and art can help create a happy, inviting place to do business. Having a well-designed office which incorporates decorations and art can be beneficial for a range of reasons — here are four of the most significant.

WHAT IS SUPERFLAT?: A GUIDE TO TAKASHI MURAKAMI’S ART MOVEMENT

Takashi Murakami is known as one of the most important living contemporary artists today. With original artworks selling for millions of dollars and continuing to rise in value, if you don’t know him for his paintings and sculptures, you’ll almost certainly recognize some of his commercial ventures in fields such as fashion, merchandise, and animation. Reaching fans and collectors all over the globe, he was the only visual artist named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” in 2008.

TINTORETTO EXHIBITION IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF SHUTDOWN

One of the most anticipated exhibitions of the year may be in jeopardy because of the prolonged government shutdown.

ART EXHIBITIONS TO CATCH IN 2019

Couldn’t catch any art exhibitions this year? Don’t worry. 2019 will have plenty of awesome museum exhibitions from London to Los Angeles. You should consider making a trip.

EXPLORING KEITH HARING’S FAMOUS FIGURES

Keith Haring was one of the most widely-celebrated artists of 1980s New York, and his work is still hugely popular today. His vibrant, eye-catching pieces are grounded in street culture, yet also respected in the art world. And while his cartoon-like drawings may seem simplistic compared to more traditional forms, Haring’s art is no less thought-provoking.

TYLER SHIELDS’ SEDUCTIVE MOUTHFUL SELLS AT SOTHEBY’S

“The mouth is a gateway to the mind” says provocative celebrity photographer Tyler Shields in reference to his Mouthful. It recently sold at Sotheby’s sale Erotic: Passion and Desire Online that took place Feb. 5-12th.

NZINGA AND JAMES TERRELL’S “BORN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHIP”

Husband and wife artists Zsudayka Nzinga and James Terrell’s new exhibit of paintings, “Born at the Bottom of the Ship,” recently debuted at the Center of the Arts in Virginia.

ARTISTS IN GERMANY INNOVATE WITH DRIVE-THROUGH GALLERY

With social distancing regulations still in place to prevent further spread of the Covid-19, artists in Cologne and Bonn, Germany have taken it upon themselves to find an innovative way to exhibit works.

HOW DOES BANKSY STAY ANONYMOUS AND MAKE MONEY?

Banksy is one of the few living artists who can truly be called a household name. His satirical, politically-charged graffiti can be found everywhere from New York City to the Gaza Strip, and his immediately recognizable works such as Girl With Balloon have earned him a loyal worldwide cult following. Yet, despite his fame, Bansky’s identity is still a complete mystery.

BANKSY PRINT SHREDDED

The buyer of the Banksy print that was partially shredded just after its sale at auction will go ahead with the £1 million purchase amid speculation that its price will have significantly increased following the incident.

TWO YEAR OLD’S ART SELLING FOR OVER $1000

A two-year old has already made her mark in the New York City art scene.

WHEN DID CONTEMPORARY ART BEGIN?

Nobody really knows when the contemporary art era began. People say it was in 1989 when the Berlin Wall was demolished and the Tiananmen Square protests were happening. But others say it was in the 70s, when World War 2 ended or even in the 1910s.

CAPE TOWN ART SCENE CAPTURING WORLDWIDE ATTENTION

Cape Town, South Africa. Its booming art scene is capturing the attention of collectors from America and Europe. Cape Town has produced art like eloquent oil paintings by Irma Stern, sculptures made completely from bottle caps by Ghana’s El Anatsui and interconnected sculptures and paintings by Lionel Smit.

HOW MUCH IS ALEC MONOPOLY ART WORTH?

Alec Monopoly has made a name for himself across the globe and is loved by street art fans and A-list celebrities alike. As a result, his growing popularity has made his work extremely valuable and, to a discerning collector, Alec Monopoly’s art is an incredible long term investment.

FROM KANYE TO CROCS: TAKASHI MURAKAMI’S MOST INTERESTING COLLABORATIONS

Collaborations are becoming more and more commonplace each year, with many welcoming the creative merging between two artists from different creative worlds. These kinds of crossovers are becoming more commonplace and “selling out” is not an issue for artists anymore. Why? Because a meaningful combination of reactive offsets is fascinating, both from an artistic and visual point of view.

BANKSY SAILS INTO VENICE BIENNALE EVENT

GRAFFITI ARTIST BANKSY MADE QUITE THE STATEMENT WHEN HE CRASHED THE VENICE BIENNALE TODAY, MAY 24TH, 2019.

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT – THE ARTIST WHO BROKE BARRIERS

When looking at Jean-Michel Basquiat’s The Ring (1981), one can’t help but see a revelation, a self-portrait of sorts ushering in a new era for black artists the world over. There, standing in a bold, red boxing ring is a polka-dot-shorts-wearing athlete holding a spear high above his wild-haired head. The image of boxing alone naturally leads one to conjure up images of struggle, challenge, resistance, and undoubtedly victory and strength. Without question, these would become the unmistakable touchstones of Basquiat’s work. They defined him not only as a breaker of cultural and professional barriers but as the first contemporary black art star.

RYAN O’NEAL SHOPS WARHOL’S PORTRAIT OF FARRAH FAWCETT FOR $18M

Ryan O’Neal is again in the limelight because of his recent shopping of the famous portrait of his ex-wife Farrah Fawcett for $18 million. The portrait was painted by Andy Warhol.

ART AND ANATOMY: EXPLORING WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE’RE MADE OF

Art and science are often seen as two distinct disciplines, but when it comes to human anatomy, they can’t always be so easily separated. For example, artists are responsible for the drawings of organs, bones and tissues in textbooks, while also bringing these scientific insights to how they depict the body in their own work. And like scientists, artists throughout the ages have literally looked inwards to explore who we are and what we’re made of.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ART AND HIP HOP CULTURE

Back in 2018, hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs made headlines after spending $21.1 million on Kerry James Marshall’s painting Past Times. The main reason this attracted so much attention? It was the most expensive piece of artwork in history to be sold by a living African-American artist.

GRAFFITI ART: WHY GRAFFITI IS ART AND NOT VANDALISM

Although graffiti is generally considered to be a contemporary artform, it actually originated thousands of years ago. The earliest examples are things like cave paintings and inscriptions on ancient buildings in Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire, with the word ‘graffiti’ itself stemming from the Italian word graffiato, meaning ‘scratched’. Yet as the art form has evolved, so have the connotations surrounding it, and at present, turning walls into canvases remains nothing more than vandalism according to US law.

BANKSY LOCATIONS IN THE US AND BEYOND

Many phenomenal artists have used their talent to make a mark on the world, but none have done so as literally as Banksy. The globally renowned street artist has attracted legions of devoted fans with his famous paintings tackling huge social and political issues with wit and attitude. Impressively, he’s managed to achieve his immense success while staying completely anonymous.

ANDY WARHOL’S TOP 10 PAINTINGS

MONEY TALKS: 6 ARTISTS CREATING ART ABOUT MONEY

Art has always been a source of social commentary, and nothing screams critique more than the human relationship with money. From the original Christian artists discussing greed as a sin, to the contemporary artists exploring capitalist culture, money was and continues to be a focal point of many artworks. But what makes it such a compelling subject, and which artists have made names for themselves by creating Money Art?