Kenny Scharf, Blobz

LondonArt & Culture

Kenny Scharf, Blobz

Veritable street art icon, Kenny Scharf, brings his vivid pop surrealism to London for first UK solo show in a decade...

Muralist, painter, and all-round street art legend, Kenny Scharf’s first UK exhibition in a decade continues at London’s Opera Gallery until 10 July; new and never-before-seen works in his signature style comprising the riotous show, entitled Blobz.

Kenny Scharf, Blobz at Opera Gallery London, Street Art Exhibition

Known for his participation in the interdisciplinary East Village art scene of the 1980s, his friendship with Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, and more recently for pioneering Cosmic Cavern—a now legendary all-night DayGlo disco party held in the basement of a Brooklyn warehouse from 2009-2010—the New York-based street art stalwart often incorporates pop culture icons into his large-scale paintings; creating exuberant compositions with an underlying subversive edge. 

Referencing masks and symbology, Blobz reflects the darker issues of the modern world, as Scharf’s energetic pop surrealism contorts itself through our uneasy sociopolitical landscape; his accessible approach as evident as ever. “One very important and guiding principal to my work,” says the Californian native, “is to reach out beyond the elitist boundaries of fine art and connect to popular culture though my art.”

Kenny Scharf, Blobz, continues at London’s Opera Gallery until 10 July.

@operagallery

NEBULAZ, 2018

NEBULAZ, 2018
Oil & Acrylic on Linen with P/C Aluminum Frame
48 x 48 Inches 123 x 123 cm

ARGGGHHHHGRRRR, 2018

ARGGGHHHHGRRRR, 2018
Oil on Linen with Powder Coated aluminum frame
48 x 48 Inches 123 x 123 cm

TOUNGLES, 2018

TOUNGLES, 2018
Oil & Acrylic on Linen with P/C Aluminum Frame
40 x 48 Inches 102 x 123 cm

BLORBZZ, 2018

BLORBZZ, 2018
Oil on Linen with Powder Coated aluminum frame
48 x 40 Inches 122 x 102 cm

BLUBZ, 2018

BLUBZ, 2018
Oil on Linen with Powder Coated aluminum frame
48 x 48 Inches 122 x 122 cm

WHIRLIFIC, 2018

WHIRLIFIC, 2018
Oil & Acrylic on Linen
36 x 36 Inches 91.44 x 91.44 cm

BLOBZTEC..., 2018

BLOBZTEC…, 2018
Oil on Linen with Powder Coated aluminum frame
48 x 48 Inches 122 x 122 cm