"Anti-Gravity: Andrew McAttee"
2008-01-31 until 2008-03-08
Forster
London, , UK United Kingdom

Young British urban artist Andrew McAttee will be launching his much anticipated riotous new work in an ambitious solo show Anti-Gravity at the end of January at FORSTER. The highly collectable artist’s work delicately balances dreamy other-wordly landscapes with his trademark psychedelic palette in vast pop art canvases that will dominate the east London gallery. The vivid and dazzling explosions of colour and light inherent in the works reflect his desire to project pure optimism – as an alternative to the gritty realism of modern life. McAttee’s comic-strip pop art landscapes burst forth with abstract shapes and intense colours, demonstrating street art sensibilities like blended colour and line, imbuing his work with a distinctive graffiti aesthetic.

McAttee has commented: “My aim is to provide the viewer with a colourful riot of gravity-less forms set in highly-layered, seemingly endless space with a sense of ambiguity, humour and celebration.

“Anti-Gravity is to draw attention to the weightless nature of a lot of modern art from Andy Warhol's Silver Balloons or Damien Hirst's Spot Paintings. I also wanted to suggest the opposing of a negative force while highlighting the celestial aspects of my work and in doing so, to say something about not being held down.”

Having made his mark as prominent graffiti street artist STET, McAttee has been fusing his spray can talent and urban style with fine art training since completing his degree from Central St Martins in 1995 – making the transition from street to gallery with his first solo show taking place in 2003.

His work draws on a wide range of sources including other graffiti art, comic book graphics, pop art and abstract expressionism. Recent commissions have seen McAttee work with brands ranging from Benson & Hedges, Nike and fashion designer Antonio Berardi among others.

McAttee’s story is inspirational – from working as a builder to support his younger siblings through college to artist – giving up his day job just before his first solo show. Since then, the rising star’s career has blossomed. Eleanor Forster launched FORSTER in 2007 with McAttee’s work as a key focus.

The extended catalogue will include an in-depth interview by writer and editor Francesca Gavin and a critical text written by Ben Cranfield, art dealer and historian.

McAttee’s work will also be used for the album and live tour artwork of The Little Ones – an LA-based music band currently touring with the Kaiser Chiefs.

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