The ShadowMan enters the Spotlight Exhibition : Yield Gallery collaborates with Reem Gallery

Yield Gallery in collaboration with Reem Gallery were proud to present a unique showcase of Richard Hambleton’s work in the heart of Soho, London. In this much talked about exhibition there was great turn out and a buzz among fellow Richard Hambleton enthusiasts and loyal clients alike.

 

 

When Hambleton arrived in New York City in the late 1970s, his penchant for the night aligned with the seemingly lawless, yet artistically rich, atmosphere of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. His Shadowman series that he painted surreptitiously on city walls, resembling the figure in Fountain of Youth, addressed how people experienced life in the neighbourhood’s dark alleyways. Hundreds of these silhouettes terrified passers-by, as the area’s minimal lighting turned the flat images into haunting theatrical characters that seemed as if they might come alive. “The city is part of the picture. I simply add to [it],” said Hambleton. Our exhibition revived his visual euphoric energy curating an array of original works on paper and canvas to assemble a much overdue retrospective in the heart of London.

The artworks demonstrate arguably above all else, Hambleton was preoccupied by the formal aspects of painting, demonstrated from the Marlboro Man and Shadow Head Portraits series to the landscapes which marked his exploration of a new subject manner. The latter includes his Beautiful Paintings, in which he introduced gold and silver leaf into his continued study of abstraction.

When speaking to David Izzard, the CEO of Yield Gallery, he said, “Thanks to everyone who attended our exhibition last Friday night and over the course of the weekend, we hope you all enjoyed attending the exhibition as much as we enjoyed hosting it and showcasing Hambleton’s iconic work.”.

Accompanying Hambleton’s work were examples of his influence on today’s living street art artists  such as Banksy, with a selection of limited edition Banksy prints on show. It is said that Banksy's anonymity is pioneered from the 'Godfather of Street Art' Richard Hambleton himself, who used to anonymously paint his obscure Shadowmen figures all across downtown New York, back in the 1980's, in order to gain heightened acclaim. Banksy is similarly known for using public buildings to stage his works, but it is his notorious stunts that have further cemented him as a household name, with his most expensive artwork selling for a staggering £18.6M, in October 2021, when his infamous shredded painting, Love Is In The Bin (2018), sold at Sotheby's auction house, London. 

Emerging artist Fern also had a selection of original on canvas paintings exhibited, these featured her highly sought after Penguin Book series that pay homage to Harland Miller. To date, Fern has predominantly worked privately for clients, with several high-profile celebrities commissioning her to produce personalised artworks that in turn demonstrated their support for her burgeoning career in attending the opening press event on Friday night.

Don’t worry, if you missed the exhibition event, you can still view our impressive collection of Richard Hambleton’s oeuvre, as we continue to display Hambleton’s pieces here at Yield Gallery alongside many other amazing artists! To make an appointment contact us via email or telephone today !

info@yieldgallery.com

0207 856 03 04