With the call from Alan Sugar, they then found out that over the next
couple of days they would have to visit, talk to and then select two practicing
graffiti artists and then try and sell their work in a given, cutting edge
gallery space within London.
Street Art?
This refers to a type of visual art which is created in public places, hence having the name 'street' art. It doesn't just have to include graffiti, even though it is this which is most commonly recognised. Sculpture, sticker art, stencil graffiti, poster art, wheatpasting, and even video and installation art can be seen on the streets.
This refers to a type of visual art which is created in public places, hence having the name 'street' art. It doesn't just have to include graffiti, even though it is this which is most commonly recognised. Sculpture, sticker art, stencil graffiti, poster art, wheatpasting, and even video and installation art can be seen on the streets.
Most of this work you see is unofficial and hasn't been authorized by anybody of power, this is why some people class this 'art work' as vandalism.
Due to the success of their work, some street artists have gained recognition and become well known within the art world.
This has even resulted in some showing their work in museums and galleries across the world as well as on the original crumbling street wall or cracked pavement where it all begun.
This has even resulted in some showing their work in museums and galleries across the world as well as on the original crumbling street wall or cracked pavement where it all begun.
One of my favourite street artists is Banksy, an unknown graffiti artist born in Bristol. I have been to view many of his original works, in areas including Bristol and London, even though a few had been tagged over by other artists. Some of his work can be quite dark and meaningful as well as humorous, here are some of his pieces below..
Anyway, back to the task..
With the teams split in two, each chose a project manager. Gabrielle ran team Sterling while taking charge of team Phoenix was Tom who already seemed to have a background knowledge in the subject. He said he could understand the work itself and how graffiti art was put together, this is what bagged him the job of PM as he 'knew the message and meaning behind the street art.'
Throughout the show the teams met numerous up-and-coming street artists in order to view their work, find out a bit about them, discuss price budgets and most importantly, select their chosen two.
First up for Tom's team was SPQR, a Bristol based artist. Following on from this, the teams also met others including Copyright, an ''urban artist with a painters touch'' - his pieces range anywhere between £100 - £2000 and in his last exhibition.. everything sold.
James Jessop was up next, coming across as a bit crazy and wild he stated ''I'm obsessed, I like to paint.'' His pieces are large scale, poster size art - something which first put the candidates off as they couldn't imagine people purchasing this for their own homes.
James Jessop was up next, coming across as a bit crazy and wild he stated ''I'm obsessed, I like to paint.'' His pieces are large scale, poster size art - something which first put the candidates off as they couldn't imagine people purchasing this for their own homes.
The last two artists still left to mention were my personal favourites, Pure
Evil and Nathan Bowen.
Evil and Nathan Bowen.
Pure Evil
Attracting my attention straight away was the work produced here, iconic images of a female crying.. in exhibition the paint ran from her eyes down onto the floor.
Nathan Bowen
He was my favourite artist on the show, having previously been a builder, he moved to drawing on the sites, sketching characters he worked with and staff of the Royal family (guards etc). More can be seen on his blog here.
Time to sell..
The teams then chose which artists work they wanted to exhibit and try and sell on the night.. earning 40% commission on every product. As well as the two artists, each team had a corporate client to try and make a big sale with, Renault Car Manufacture and Beefeater Gin.
The teams then chose which artists work they wanted to exhibit and try and sell on the night.. earning 40% commission on every product. As well as the two artists, each team had a corporate client to try and make a big sale with, Renault Car Manufacture and Beefeater Gin.
Team Sterling (Gabrielle) - Artists: Pure Evil and Nathan Bowen. Corporate Client: Beefeater Gin.
Results.. Gallery sales = £11,630 giving them a commission of £4579.65.
Corporate client didn't buy any work. This was down to the team not finding out enough information beforehand. The Gin company were looking for something unique and to do with London, most importantly they missed questions about size and budget. They were willing to pay £5000 but the team had chosen artists who sold their work at a much lower price. This lost them the possibility of a huge sale.
Corporate client didn't buy any work. This was down to the team not finding out enough information beforehand. The Gin company were looking for something unique and to do with London, most importantly they missed questions about size and budget. They were willing to pay £5000 but the team had chosen artists who sold their work at a much lower price. This lost them the possibility of a huge sale.
Team Phoenix (Tom) - Artists: Copyright and James Jessop. Corporate Client: Renault.
Results.. Gallery sales = £5980 giving them a commission of £2442 and corporate client gave them a commission on £2000.. meaning their overall total was £4442.
They won by a £137 difference.
Results.. Gallery sales = £5980 giving them a commission of £2442 and corporate client gave them a commission on £2000.. meaning their overall total was £4442.
They won by a £137 difference.
What I learnt from watching this:
- Some of the candidates didn't have a clue about graffiti or anything within the art world, Adam admitted that he didn't even know what a 'medium' was. But this didn't matter, his team won the fight over Nathan Bowen because they showed enthusiasm and were passionate about the art. This is what the professionals want, they need someone who they know will try their hardest to sell the work.
- Some of the candidates didn't have a clue about graffiti or anything within the art world, Adam admitted that he didn't even know what a 'medium' was. But this didn't matter, his team won the fight over Nathan Bowen because they showed enthusiasm and were passionate about the art. This is what the professionals want, they need someone who they know will try their hardest to sell the work.
- They also got Nathan to draw live during the exhibition, this is innovative and organic. The customers will be able to see this fresh work being made, hopefully influencing them to purchase a piece.
I too watched it. It was exactly as you have said. The team that won showed far more enthusiasm for the task. I enjoy looking at Graffiti, on Trains, walls, bridges. Its amazing where you find it. Some of the artists are so talented.
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