Sweet Toof’s ‘Sweet Revenge’ @ The Colour Works From 11 to 19 August

sweet toof sweet revenge hackney wickOne of London’s most well-known and celebrated street artists, Sweet Toof, he of the teeth and gums that you’ll find across London, is coming to Hackney Wick with a new solo show, ‘Sweet Revenge’, organised by High Roller Society. Taking place at the Colour Works on Wallis Road in Hackney Wick, ‘Sweet Revenge’ will showcase some of Sweet Toof’s best work and will also include new pieces that haven’t been seen by a UK audience before.

Sweet Toof has been active on the London scene since the 1980s, and he takes his inspiration from the Mexican Day Of The Dead, the Vanitas paintings from France and the Netherlands (which usually featured a skull, fading flowers or a guttering candle to remind viewers of their mortality) and the comic book art of Vaughn Bode. Of course a show like ‘Sweet Revenge’ wouldn’t be possible if the authorities and others hadn’t started to take a more enlightened view about street art, and we can be thankful for that because without it, it could be argued that places like Shoreditch and Brick Lane would still be backwaters. Despite whatever other activity that goes on there, I think it’s the colour and excitement of street art that draws in the tourists and locals alike and has put this part of the East End on the map today. Unsurprisingly, for the most part the commercial world still doesn’t get it, as a very recent act of sacrilege proves…

sweet toof sweet revenge hackney wickSweet Toof’s ‘Sweet Revenge’ runs from 11 to 18 August and entry is free – I’m sure it will be worth a look for anyone who has an interest in the history of London’s street art scene, and no doubt Sweet Toof will be presenting some challenging new ideas as part of the show. The nearest station to the exhibition is Hackney Wick, a minute or two’s walk away. While you’re there do also check out the Wick’s hip café, the Hackney Pearl, and perhaps wander over to the canal too where you’ll discover that you’re actually in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium…

UPDATE: I’ve now had the opportunity to visit the exhibition. It’s very good indeed – there are canvases, installations and more which create a very macabre air when they’re brought together in the same place. There are grinning skeletons playing various types of sports and a trio of Victorian portraits which are very disturbing indeed, and also a very odd version of the Pink Panther car…

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About The Londoneer

Pete Stean is a keen blogger, amateur photographer, singer and ham radio enthusiast in his spare time...
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