Slawn

Ugly Bastard

€950

Limited edition

Edition of 100

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Who are you calling ugly?

Slawn is best known for cartoonish artworks spray-painted on canvas and beyond. His distinctive scrawl expands into three dimensions as a limited edition sculpture. Ugly Bastard began as a satirical self portrait – equal parts irreverent and introspective. Now, he’s seeking a life of his own.

The figure is crouching – head bowed and gazed lowered like a sleek, modern gargoyle. He is painted in a hypnotic shade, carefully colour-matched to the underbelly of a Magic 8 ball. Look closely, and you’ll see your own reflection.

Interview

The good, the bad and the Ugly Bastard

"The problem is that they really want me to not like myself, and it's not possible."

Slawn

Blue sculpture being taken out of box with two hands

Red and black bike with a blue painting of two people wearing red boxing gloves next to it

Graffti of face with large teeth on white door next to a director's chair, in artist Slawn's studio

Slawn

1 collaboration

Slawn and his spray paints are taking over the world. His cartoonish scrawl has covered cars, expensive watches, planes and even the FA Cup. Appropriation has a double meaning in Slawn’s work. On one level, he’s staking a claim to these luxury objects. By using these objects instead of a canvas, he inscribes his own meaning on them. More controversial is his ‘appropriation’ of racist caricatures. His black characters feature exaggerated red lips, and are often depicted naked or in voyeuristic situations – all borrowed from minstrelsy. The work titles are also just as provocative e.g. The Irony of a Nigerian Policeman (a nod to Basquiat). Slawn questions how an image is able to elicit such a negative emotional response in the first place – “I just want to get to a place where people feel comfortable with stuff that’s taboo.”

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Reviews from Avant collectors

Very smooth transaction. The piece is beautiful. Can;t wait to get it framed.
Review of Guardian
We really appreciate AA being a trusted partner in our collecting journey. The quality offerings that AA helps bring to the market continue to impress.
Review of Portrait and Head
The work is absolutely stunning! The embossing, thick paper, it impressively captures Condo’s oil gestures and overall vibrance…
Review of Lost in Time
I am so happy with my purchase, and really all the work that Avant Art is doing to connect real people with artists. thank you!
Review of Inner Love
Thanks for keeping me in the loop during the entire process. The packaging of the item was exceptional.
Review of Portrait of Maya #10
we love these prints and hope that Ai WeiWei will continue with the other zodiac symbols :)
Review of Combat fear with truth
outstanding paper quality and excellent packaging. love it.
Review of Actual Size
we appreciate the care taken in transport. Our piece was unframed but we appreciated how the packaging was done to protect it and also extras like the information on the art and the tote bag. We love the art work.
Review of Guardian

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