Designer Desire: Oskar with a K

Oskar with a K montage of graffiti artworks

I’ve just realised that it’s not very often that we’ve featured a graffiti artist in our Designer Desire series. As luck would have it, I’m very familiar with – if not the work itself, then – some of the locations of work by Oskar with a K.

In a past life, I worked in a few different arts organisations in Manchester city centre, one of which was directly opposite the Ritz where his Ooh Child work is situated. At a later date, I worked in the city’s Northern Quarter, and I walked past the former public toilet where his Hello work now lives on a twice-daily basis.

Here’s what Oskar with a K says about himself:

I would describe my work as graphic design unhindered by scale. I love working in public space, engaging fully with the environment I’m in and contributing to a world in which art and design is implicit to our cityscapes.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Auction alert: 20th Century Design & Retro Interiors

Franco Albini mid 20th century cane & bamboo satellite hoop chair

East Bristol Auctions is holding their 20th Century Design & Retro Interiors auction – including street art on Friday 1st October 2021 from 9:55am.

Justin is the one who first pointed me in the direction of this 20th Century Design & Retro Interiors sale. He already knew of East Bristol Auctions and thought it was a good one to share on our Auction Alert series. I looked at the catalogue and could have picked about ¾ of the 690 lots to feature – there’s some great quality on offer. The sale estimates, in my opinion, are temptingly low; ‘come and buy me’, as they say in the trade.

The auction house uses Royal Mail and Parcelforce services to deliver small items internationally. They offer furniture delivery within a 30 mile radius of their auction house for a fee from £35.00 plus VAT. Delivery within England, Wales, Scotland & Ireland, excluding Highlands & Islands, costs from £40.00 plus VAT.

To bid at our auctions you will need to register directly with us (in person, over the phone, or via email) or sign up online via the-saleroom.com or eastbristol.co.uk. Our buying fees direct are 19% of the hammer price, plus VAT on the commission (22.8% in total). If you bid online additional fees will apply and these are namely 4.95%+VAT (the-saleroom.com) and 3&+VAT (bid.eastbristol.co.uk). In all instances, buyers are asked to check the specific fees before bidding as occasionally an auction may have different commission rates set.

Original 1960’s retro floor standing rocket lamp

Lot 2: Original 1960’s retro floor standing rocket lamp
Estimate: £100 – £150
Rocket Lamp – A retro vintage 1960’s Space Age teak wood and spun fibreglass floor standing lamp standard light comprising of a double bulb fitted centre, cylindrical fibreglass shade / diffuser and raised on shaped teak wood legs. Measures approx; 113cm tall.

Ronald Stennett Willson - Wedgwood - Sheringham candlesticks

Lot 13: Ronald Stennett Willson – Wedgwood – Sheringham candlesticks
Estimate: £40 – £60
Ronald Stennett Willson – Wedgwood / King’s Lynn – Sheringham – A graduating pair of retro 1960’s studio art glass candlesticks / tea light holders with one having 3 bladed rings and the other two. Each having a translucent peach glass colourway. Each measures approx; 16cm x 7cm diameter.

Franco Albini mid 20th century cane & bamboo satellite hoop chair

Lot 24: Franco Albini mid 20th century cane & bamboo satellite hoop chair
Estimate: £100 – £200
Attributed to Franco Albini – A retro mid 20th Century Italian wicker / cane and bamboo satellite lounge hoop chair. The circle tub shaped chair of round form raised on ebonised tubular legs with black atomic feet. Wear commensurate with age, overall a good example. Measures approx; 81cm x 80cm x 58cm.

Retro vintage 1970's Troika manner pottery lamp

Lot 92: Retro vintage 1970’s Troika manner pottery lamp
Estimate: £50 – £80
A large retro vintage 1970’s studio art pottery lamp in the manner of Troika. The light of brutalist form having three groups of circular panels raised on a tapered pedestal base. No visible makers marks. Measures approx; 78cm tall.

Shop display / butchers advertising display pig

Lot 236: Shop display / butchers advertising display pig
Estimate: £40 – £60
A contemporary shop display / butchers advertising point of sale display pig constructed from hard acrylic moulded in a standing position with painted facial features. The pig being black with a white strip. Measures approx; 30cm x 58cm x 21cm.

Vintage wooden articulated artist's mannequin

Lot 567: Vintage wooden articulated artist’s mannequin
Estimate: £40 – £60
A large retro vintage 20th Century wooden articulated artist’s mannequin table / desk top figurer supported by a single metal steam raised on a circular base. Measures approx; 55cm tall.

Retro vintage Italian mid 20th century bamboo crib

Lot 496: Retro vintage Italian mid 20th century bamboo crib
Estimate: £80 – £120
A retro vintage mid 20th Century Italian Boho bamboo & cane Childs crib / cot or bed having two curved ends with various woven cane patterns to the sides. Slatted base and all raised on wheel castors. Slight wear and would benefit from tightening. Measures approx; 90cm x 145cm x 66cm.

Retro 20th century wool shag pile floor carpet rug / runner

Lot 611: Retro 20th century wool shag pile floor carpet rug / runner
Estimate: £50 – £80
An original retro vintage mid 20th Century wool shag pile floor carpet rug / runner of rectangular form having a red ground finish with dark orange and black colours forming patterns throughout. Measures approx; 138cm x 70cm.

Designer Desire: Thierry Noir

Mosaic of Thierry Noir artworks | H is for Home

I think it’s safe to say that Thierry Noir is a Marmite artist; I love his bold, bright, childlike work. However, it does absolutely nothing for Justin. I first discovered his work in a recently featured home in our Get their look blog series.

French-born Noir (b. 1958) moved to Germany in 1982; two years later, he was the first artist to (illegally) create artworks on the Berlin Wall (see photo below).

That style of painting came because I couldn’t finish my painting because of thousands of questions – everybody wanted to know something. I said to myself, I speak longer than I paint, so I cant finish what I want to do. So I started to develop a style of painting where it is possible to paint and talk at the same time!
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I had to adapt to be quicker, which became my Fast Form Manifesto. The Fast Form Manifesto is a good recipe for people who have to paint fast in dangerous environments, or with constantly interruptions. You need two ideas and three colours.
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Thierry Noir cites as influences: Picasso, Joan Miro, Basquiat, Keith Haring, Bowie, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Kraftwerk and Led Zeppelin.

He has produced numerous public works (some more temporary than others) in the UK. Amongst others, there’s been a multi-storey mural on Barwick House, Acton (pictured, top), a road crossing in Millbank, hoardings in Chichester and a sandwich bar shop-front in Shoreditch.

Portrait of Thierry Noir at the Berlin Wallcredit

Portrait of Thierry Noircredit

Additional image credits:

Flickr | Howard Griffin Gallery