New Print - Signed by Prodigy members!

Our latest screen print for the Prodigy has been a very exciting new venture for us. We've been working on a project with the Prodigy for a while to release a series of screen prints by different artists. The series is called Prodigy Versus. The first print is Prodigy Vs Mo. Mo Coppoletta is one of the most respected tattoo artists working at the moment. Over the next year we will be releasing more in the series.

Each 5 colour screen print is of an edition of only 50 yellow and 50 pink on Somerset paper and is signed and numbered by Mo, but also by ALL the members of the Prodigy. Priced at 250GBP. The prints are blind stamped by LAB and also by the Prodigy.
Available as always at http://www.littleartbook.com/

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Nightmare before Christmas

LAB and Daydream Network present a winter wonderland hidden in the middle of the metropolis. A one off seasonal spectacle featuring artwork, mulled wine and mince pies - this is the time to get your Christmas jumper on and come down to enjoy the festivities. Welcome to the Nightmare before Christmas.

The Courtyard, Sin, 144 Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0lB
Preview Tuesday 16th December from 6.30pm. Runs until 24th December.

See you there!

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Alphabet Show Photos

Our very own resident photographer Jo has posted some photos of the opening night of the LAB show on her flickr site. Check them out here.

If anyone else has some photos of the evening we'd love to see them.

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The Krah Interview by Concrete Canvas

The guys from Concrete Canvas have recently posted an interview with our very own Krah. To read the full interview follow this link

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Rugman hit the States

Rugman and a cast of some of the best artists around today hit the US of A soon for a show titled "Clowns". If you are anywhere near Culver City, CA then head down and check out some UK talent.

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Little Art Book Presents......

Join us to Celebrate the launch of RUGMAN'S’s latest diptych screen prints onto comic book and aerosol hand finished paper, exclusively created with Little Art Book. Launch Party Tues 11th November from 6.30pm.

Also featuring
VILCHEZ, DAVE THE CHIMP, OH DEATH,
INKFETISH, SUPEROBOTURBO, THE KRAH,
ADAM MALLETT, SZTUKA FABRYKA,
ABE LINCOLN JNR, ROURKE VAN DAL,
HENRY REEVE, PAINTSHOP STUDIO,
DAN KITCHENER, RICHARD HOGG,
PURE EVIL, GABRIEL MORENO.

WIN a pair of these fantastic Rugman prints on the night, plus an event screen print for the first 50 people through the door.

Music by LAB regulars Oh Death & Adam Mallett.

Refreshments provided by Tiger beer.

Show runs until December 24th 2008.

RSVP art@littleartbook.com for guest list.

Alphabet Bar, Beak Street, Soho, London W1R 3LF.

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New Dave the Chimp Print

LAB would like to introduce to you the first of our brand new artists. Dave the Chimp is our Mr September LAB addition. Residents of East London will be most familiar with his ghost/worm creatures which can grow up to forty feet and bite you right on the ass. Chimp, now based over in Berlin is an artist on a mission. LAB is lucky enough to help carry one of his many messages. His ‘Jesus is the airbag in the car crash of your life’ print will bring neon and faith to any wall. Keep a close eye on LAB and we’ll bring you one or two of his ghosts in the not to distant future.

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Hutch, David Walker & RYCA at the Cosh gallery

Scrawl collective are unleashing a new show at Cosh, Soho from 26th Sept. Featuring new work from Hutch, David Walker and Ryca, all 3 will be playing with 3 process colours on 3 walls, and probably the floor. Launch night is 25th Sept, hit them up for entry at rsvp@coshuk.com

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Dan Mumford's print workshop

Dan Mumford shows us a masterclass in Screen Printing.
Click here for photos from the event

He will be taking part in a Nike Printing session that is being organised by YCN on Wednesday 17th September. It will start with a small talk about his work and then be followed by Dan printing an exclusive print limited to 200, all attendees will get one of these. In the following weeks you will be able to pick one of the prints up from the new East London ‘Nike 1948’ pop-up store on Batemans Row while they last. Heres the press release details, theres not many spaces, so if interested email now!….

‘A series of renowned illustrators/designers will give an informal talk about their work, before printing 200 limited edition screen prints in the space, of which each attendee will receive one free.

All talks will start at 12.30pm and should last around 30 minutes. They will take place at 32, Batemans Row, off Shoreditch High Street (map here). The event is free to attend but places are limited. Please email
sarah@ycnonline.com with the illustrator you would like to attend stated in the subject line, in order to reserve your place.

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Ben Frost - Crapitalism

Our friend Ben Frost is heading to London for his first solo show here in the UK.

OPENING 25th September 2008 from 6pm

Dray Walk Gallery, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane - London

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Alexone, Pas Pieds Show 7 at Stolen Space

French Artist Alexone shows his latest work over at DFace's East London leading contemporary urban gallery, Stolen Space. From August 21st.

‘Pas Pied. Show 7’ opening at the StolenSpace Gallery on the 21st August will showcase new works by renowned French graffiti artist Alexone. This much anticipated solo show will feature paintings in spraypaint and acrylic on paper and canvas. This show will also see the release of a new screen print hand pulled by the artist.


Born In 1976 Alexone now lives and works in Paris. Coming from a graffiti background he rose to fame in the early 90’s with his striking letter-based tags (under the name of Oedipe - Oedipus) appearing on the streets of Paris. Since then his distinctive work has won him a reputation far beyond France and exhibitions all over Europe, among them Paris, Hamburg, Milan, Berlin, Amsterdam and Brussels. Alexöne regularly collaborates with other urban artists, among them members of the GM and 9e Concept groups. With whom he exhibited in a group show in the Pompidou Centre in January this year.

The humans or animals that figure in Alexöne’s work are often humorous and playful, his bright colours, eccentric characters and hilarious scenes easily provoking laughter. He also likes to include lots of references and curious associations of ideas, generating a real sense of closeness between the artist and the viewer who gets the point. Yet Alexöne’s work offers more than pictorial humour. A closer look reveals a grave unease, this excess of crazy jokes, disguises, contortions and fantastical animals inducing a sense of obscure disturbance. This ambivalence of humour and unease is a crucial element of the work, provoking in the viewer a questioning that leaves a lasting impression.


Alexone’s first book “Came A Yeux” (Drugs For The Eyes) was published last year by Kitchen 93. Signed copies of which will be on sale throughout the exhibition.

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Black Rat Press Gallery - Big Issue Show

We checked out the great Black Rat Press, Big Issue show and took a few photo's. Highlights included the amazing Joker CMYK dots painting by Pure Evil. DFace, The Krah, Ron English, Blek Le Rat & Eine were among the many artists who donated work for the good cause.

More Photo's from the show

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Underground Urban Art The Foundry London

The Krah & co have put together this fine urban art show.
Head over to East London on Thursday 28th August at The Foundry, 86 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3JL. Old Street tube. With Artists such as Pure Evil, The Krah, Hutch, Snub, Copyright, Pam Glew, Blam, Kai1, 45rpm.

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SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS 2008

Oh Death hanging in Splendor and the Byron Bay Stupid Krap show.
Click to see more pictures

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Draw On The Walls - Brighton

The good people at Visual Imprints are offering the chance to draw on the walls, play your own music and drink your own booze. This Saturday from 8pm on the Brighton Seafront. 9-12 Middle Street Brighton.

Visual Imprints are holding there first draw on the walls event down at the artspace just off the seafront in Brighton this Saturday at 8pm!

If you have ever been in a gallery and wanted to draw on the walls, this event is for you... They are inviting people to draw all over the gallery wall, and on the tonne of canvases we are scattering all over. The artwork will be left up all week for everyone to see and we will be auctioning off the canvases people have drawn on during the night, so you can buy your own masterpiece back again!

A few of the resident artists will be down and creating stuff during the night too, so you could catch a bargain!

All the money raised helps us to keep the space running and fund new artists works and projects.

If you are in or near Brighton and fancy something a bit different to start your Saturday night out then come down, chat to the artists, draw on the wall and listen to some tunes. Bring your own alcohol and save some cash too!

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Free Radical - A Celebration Of Urban Art

ArtJuggler Presents Free Radical

A Celebration Of Urban Art at Cast 49-51 Thomas Street Manchester. With LAB art collaborators Dan Kitchener, Superoboturbo, Sztuka-Fabryka and Pure Evil. Along with Hush, Rugman, Dotmasters, Prefab, Motorboy, Kerry Roper & K-Guy. Saturday 30th August from 6.30pm. Drinks and Music.

Check out the Cast web store for all your Skate needs.

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Where Mighty Giants Dwell - Byron Bay Australia

Our Australian friends Stupid Crap have put together this fine urban art exhibition, straight out of Splendor in the Grass festival, Byron Bay. Little Art Book is represented by Oh Death, Adam Mallet, Ink Fetish & The Krah. If you are lucky enough to be in the area be sure to Check it out!

Other artists on show Buff Monster, Kelsey Brookes, Ben Frost, Jeremyville, Numskull and many more. At the Retrospect Galleries from Friday the 1st August.

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Big Issue Art Exibition 9th August 2008

The Krah is one of the many amazing artists who have donated work for this one day charity event at the Black Rat Press.



A charity show in aid of the Big Issue Foundation. In what must be one of the most impressive line ups of the year 40 artists have kindly donated works to this show and all proceeds go towards helping the homeless. Confirmed artists so far include: Dotmasters, Dface, Eine, Mantis, Matt Small, Swoon, Nick Walker, Peter Kennard, Cat Picton Phillipps, Ron English, Herakut, Jamie Reid, Andrew Mcattee, Charming Baker, Robert Sample, Elbowtoe, Hush, Pure Evil, Julian Opie, Miss Bugs, Modern Toss, Ruth Marten, Dan Baldwin, Peter Blake, Logan hicks, Armsrock, Cyclops, Beejoir, Chris Stain, Labrona, Anthony Lister, Copyright, Blek Le Rat, Gaia, K Guy, James Mylne, Eelus, SPQR, Neverwork, LET, Dog Byte, Static, Jef Aerosol, The Krah, Pam Glew, Mr Jago, C215, Part2ism, Tony Gray, David Walker, RYCA, Dr D, Mighty Monkey, AME72, Christopher Remy, Rene Gagnon, Zac Walsh, Bandit, with more artists to be announced closer to the time.

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Searching For The Perfect Line

The New Show from the legendary Dave the Chimp at the Vicious Gallery Hamburg, Germany. July 26th – August 23rd 2008

The title of this show relates primarily to skateboarding. A "line" is a route a skateboarder takes through a skatepark or other urban landscape, making tricks along the way. Looking for lines, getting them wired, then looking for new ones, is a constant aim, and the Chimp, as a skateboarder for over 20 years, is still constantly searching. This search takes place not only in the skatepark, but also in the studio.

The title also relates to the act of writing graffiti, and looking for flowing lines and letterforms that are quick and stylish to paint. In a lesser way, the Chimp is also searching for a new way of living, having recently quit London, his home for 12 years, and moved to Berlin, and also searching for a wife, considering the curves of a woman's body the "greatest lines God ever drew".

The exhibition will focus on new work created specifically for this show, plus experiments from the last few years - exploring the aforementioned themes, especially typographic elements, the curves of skateparks, and flowing/one line drawings. Though these ideas and pieces have been forming over a number of years, this is the first time the Chimp has presented them in an exhibition.

Also on display will be two new animated video pieces. The first of these, "Self Portrait, July 2008", was created in the Chimps living space, which is also his office and studio, and the centre of his world since moving to Berlin in April 2008.

The second piece, "One Line Is All You Need", shows the creation and erasure of simple, yet surprisingly clever, characters drawn with just one line. The Chimp developed these as a quick way of creating images, similar to the speed and style involved in a traditional graffiti "tag". Alongside the video piece will be the painting created to make the animation. This draws attention to the layers of graffiti we see in our major cities, and also, ultimately, to the "buff" – the removal or covering of graffiti by city employees and property owners.

A 40 page photocopy fanzine, showing work created in the streets and studio, is also available.

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Totoro Forest Project - San Francisco

Inkfetish has designed a ink on paper piece for the Totoro Forest Project auction. Being held at the world famous Pixar animation studious, San Francisco this September.

The brief was to design a piece based on the film My Neighbor Totoro. All of the pieces of art were reviewed by Ghibli as the characters were not allowed to resemble the the characters from the film too closely for reasons concerning copyright infringement. Inkfetish found it a challenge to create a balance between capturing the essence of the character and at the same time retaining his own style.

Check the Inkfetish site for more info www.inkfetish.co.uk

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Supercans

Supercans

Dan Kitchener has been out and about in Southampton.

Dan's been at it again this time he's done a couple of pieces at the Southampton Supercans. With a new landscape piece and a variation of the now infamous Formation B, this time with bones. It's well worth a peek. There are some great local artists involved, check the flicker site for photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/philsc/tags/supercans/

Look out for Dan at Free for wall 3 at the Brick Lane gallery this August.

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Dan Kitchener exhibition - Free For Wall

Dan has just finished his live painting and exhibition. Down at the Brick Lane Gallery London. Click on the link below for more photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/philsc/sets/72157605914046127/

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Introducing Vilchez!!

We’ve just released a new series of 4 gangster prints by Vilchez, a Spanish artist from Seville.
Each print is created by a two stage process. The first is a woodcut relief and the second is a crystal based etching. The main character is carved from a block of wood and printed onto soft hannemuhle paper, embossing the paper at the same time. The tattoo detail is created from an etching. The edition is limited to 20. Price £250.
These are pretty special prints and we’re really proud to have them available on our site. For more images go to our main site here

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Daydream Network opening night photos

LAB headed down to the opening night of Daydream Networks exhibition at M&C Saatchi. Here's a few photos of the event including our very own Oh Death, Adam Mallett and Superoboturbo.

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LAB Knights at the Westbury

Following our last strategic board meeting all LAB directors decided that the best way for LAB to reach a new audience is through a new medium. And that medium is music!

So, starting next month our very own Adam Mallett will be taking a break from painting shamrocks on skulls and will be spinning some tunes at the Westbury in Kilburn. He is joined by Paul Entwistle.

We would love for all of you to come and say hi if you're in the area. Oh yeah - and we're also using the night to release our next series of prints. I'm sure we can organise a small discount for personal collection.

See you there!!

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Abe Lincoln Junior Interview

Your name, Abe Lincoln Jr – do you have a big allegiance to the US?

Or did you just like his costume? I don't really have a big affinity for the USA or anything like that. The name came from was just an absurdist concept I'd had for a band back in the day. When I first started putting up stickers of Char in 2003 I didn't have a name or anything and I got my work on Wooster Collective. They asked me if I had a "Street Art Name" and I picked that one at random. Turned out to be pretty great branding though!
You started off as a character in a band – do you harbour any desires to get back into music?

Not really, I have never been a "real" musician, all the bands I've been in would practice the songs I wrote once or twice before a show and just try to make as big a spectacle as possible. I do have a concept for a new music based art project but there won’t be any actual music involved. Stay tuned for details...

Your piece, "Brand Extension" is about how Street Art is turning into another form of viral marketing – how do you feel about this? Have you been approached by any big companies to do some for them?

"Brand Extension" was also about the motivation behind people deciding to take up street art now that it's become the next big thing. It's not necessarily how Street Art isn't "pure" anymore. Everyone wants to do what they love be it art music or whatever and that’s fine, but now people have started doing street art as a way to market their creative services in hope of being ”discovered”. Street art isn’t a movement, it’s a market. I have been approached by some bigger brands in the past, but nothing has come of it so far. And not to be ambiguous if I liked what they were asking me to do and I felt like it was beneficial yes I would work for them. I think there’s a lot of anti-corporate posturing out there in street art that that’s kind of “anti-marketing” marketing and I find it as dishonest as a McDonald’s campaign.

The sticker as an art form – discuss

Ahhh the lowly sticker, it gets no respect. Although it's the lowest man on the street cred totem pole, it's probably the most ubiquitous of all the work out there. Best part of it all is that all you need is a postal sticker or an inkjet printer and you're good to go. Of all the "street issue" Char stickers I've done in the past none of them have been printed on vinyl, all have been inkjet on paper. Are they art? Like anything, it depends on who's doing them...

Your work has a strong child-like quality to it with cartoons – what cartoons influenced you growing up? Do you see yourself as a big kid now?

The single biggest influence on my art is Hannah Barberra cartoons of the 60's and 70's. Scooby Doo is the sole reason I began drawing. I was also a TV junkie and watched almost any and every cartoon I could tune in on the television. Am I a big kid now? Absolutely.

You work in a number of mediums, from stickers right through to toys and even jewellery, what’s your favourite to work with?

Right now it's toys but I'm starting to move towards other Artist Multiples and can’t wait to get these projects off the ground.

Punishment or luxury – what’s your idea of either/both? How does this theme relate to your work?

Punishment = Meetings at work
Luxury = Getting to a place where I can focus solely on my art/design. It relates to my work in that when I’m in long boring meetings at work I dream of when I can get the hell out and do my own thing full time. It's definitely a motivator.

Have you been to the UK? Any plans to? Where/what would you like to tag most in Europe?

I've never been to the UK but I know a lot of heads there through the street art community. I'd love to be able to fly over and check out London, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin and just hang out with all the people I’ve been emailing throughout the years. I don't necessarily want to "tag" anything, though.

Street Art is most definitely hitting the mainstream in the UK at the moment, with the Tate Modern even devoting a show to graffiti artists at the moment. Is it the same in New York? How do you feel about Street Art’s move from the underground to the massive, mainstream galleries, is this a good or bad thing?

I don’t know, I don’t really have much of an opinion on it to be honest. Street Art hasn’t really excited me in awhile. There are of course tons of artists out there still doing amazing stuff (Blu’s videos for instance are out of control), it’s more that I’ve turned my attention elsewhere for inspiration in my own work. I think what attracted me to street art is not really there anymore. There were tons of talented people putting stuff up in the street for free just to do it. Not to be discovered by Nike or to get a big solo show at a fancy gallery. That said, I am all for an Artist doing whatever the hell they want. If they want to do a pair of Air Force One’s or have a show at the Tate then great, enjoy yourself, that’s why we’re all here isn’t it? I’d probably do both if the opportunity presented itself.

How do you think the context of seeing your work changes when we see it in a gallery vs the street?

Well I do different work in the street than I do in galleries. I tend to do more extravagant, conceptual stuff for my gallery shows and try to keep things super simple if I’m going to do work for the streets.

Who are the hot street artists to look out for in NYC to look out for at the moment, aside from you?

The Endless Love Crew are my favorites hands down (I'm not only a fan but I'm also a member) Infinity, Celso, Anera, and Royce Bannon are awesome. Also Deeker, Matt Siren, Elbow Toe are all still keeping busy around these here parts.

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The Krah Exhibition Opening Night Photos

Here's a few photo's from the opening night of the Krah's exhibition at the Pure Evil gallery.

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May Free Print Draw

This month we have decided to offer the winner of our draw the choice of three prints. All the entry details are in our newsletter. We only had 80ish entries last month, so pretty good odds!

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Cans Festival

Banksy organised 'Cans Festival' was truly amazing and LAB had a few of our own down with paint cans at the ready.
Including our new man of many stencils and fresh in the LAB fold FOCUS. Keep your eyes peeled for this up & coming London artist.

FOCUS - Homemade Graffiti since 1987



FOCUS- Cowgirl



OH DEATH - Summer



THE KRAH



DAN KITCHENER

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New Print - Rourke Van Dal

Rourke Van Dal's Not On Your Nelly. Hot off the LAB press.

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Little Art Book Newsletter - May08

We've really worked hard this month to produce this newsletter. Have a read...

http://www.littleartbook.com/newsletters/may08.html

The team at LAB

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Abe Lincoln Junior & Char

This is a sneak preview to one of our newest artists. The bird on the sign post is called Char and will soon be visiting London. Watch out!

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Free Pure Evil Print Draw

We didn't sell all the Pure Evil prints on the night, so we're decided to hold a free prize draw for a few of them. The winners will be announced in our newsletter on the 2nd May. To enter the draw either subscribe to our newsletter or send an email to freeprint@littleartbook.com Good luck!

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LAB Live Screen Printing

For those of you who couldn't make it down to last months Live Screen printing at Pin Up. Pure Evil has sent us this clip of LAB screen printer French Danny putting the ink down.

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Urban Art Show 08

The Old Cinema will host an exhibition of urban art from the 2nd to 15th May. The event will blend iconic styles of the past with contemporary art and design as participating artists mix their modern work with formal antique, vintage industrial and retro Danish furniture. www.theoldcinema.co.uk
The exhibition will run for two weeks with a private view on the first night, 6pm to 9.30pm, 1st May.

LAB Featured artists include: Superoboturbo, Inkfetish, Gabriel Moreno, Paintshop Studio.

With Faile, Terratag, Dan McCarthy, Shepherd Fairy, Public, Sahatarch Pittarong plus many more. For more info email urbanart@theoldcinema.co.uk

The Old Cinema, 160 Chiswick High Road, London W4 1PR. Nearest tube Turnham Green.

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InkFetish New Web Site

Check out the brand new InkFetish site to see all his new wall pieces, painting and illustrations.


http://www.inkfetish.co.uk/news.html

Look out for the new Ink Fetish print coming to LAB in May.

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Photos from the Pin Up Live Screen Printing

Here's a few photos taken on Saturday night at the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes. A big thank you to everyone that turned up to support us and take away a print.

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NEW - LAB Gift Vouchers

LAB gift vouchers are a great way to give someone a gift of art while letting them choose themselves. The vouchers are available in numerous denominations and can be used to buy any or our prints.

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Pure Evil Pin Up print

Pin Up is back, April 12th at the Bloosmbury Bowling lanes London. This time we have teamed up with none other than the amazing Pure Evil. On the night we will print an edition of 75, 420mm x 590mm 250 gsm paper. Each print will be individually signed and numbered on the night by the man himself. They will be available for the give away price of £10 only at Pin Up, should there be any left they will be available from LAB. Price to be confirmed.Here's a photo from the last event with Richard Hogg as the guest artist.

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Interview with The Krah

Fresh from another midnight graffiti run (probably) Laura Martin got hold of The Krah - Greece’s best export since Ouzo - who tells the story of the night he had to swallow his memory card, introduces us to Krahotherapy and explains why spitting at him at his new exhibition is to be encouraged.

Artwork from The Krah is available exclusively through LAB


What are the inspiration for your characters? Do you dream in graffiti?

Being a mentalist is what I do best. I wouldn’t say I dream graffiti, ok some times I do. But seriously folks, I ponder on current affairs and despair at the state of the world around me constantly, except when I am living in my own little world (which thankfully is most of the time). My every waking moment I try to jazz up the monotony around me by imagining animated stories where my characters do extremely rude things. Really the only way to get any peace these days is to attempt to get all these characters out of my head by applying them to the real world around me. I call this Krahotherapy and it involves going out and putting all these little ideas in other peoples heads by exposing them to the illness that is the krah and secretly hoping that this will somehow make things better. Well, for me at least.

A lot of your work features on transport such as trains and subway lines – have you had any close calls? What was your most adventurous tag?

When I was a young lad waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the day, I liked drawing on things like every other teenage kid (well some of them anyway). But with me it just wasn’t enough to scribble things on toilet walls. So I thought, I know, why not draw my pretty pictures on all over the city. That’s bound to annoy someone! What started as an innocent underground urban hard core game, ended as a never ending downward spiral (which was fun by the way) and involved a lot of falling from fences on to rocks and running away from the sound of sirens coming closer and the countless attempts to explain to my parents how having stitches was part of a normal night out…... It was all fun and games back then with plenty of close calls and non-stop adventure (I wont bore you with the details). Somehow I never fell into the hands of the law, im still not quite sure how I managed that. Well maybe once or twice…. The last time infact I had to eat the memory card from my camera while in the back of a police van. To this day it hasn’t reappeared, I miss that memory card, there where some good photos on it…….. But to be honest, now I am far too mature (old) for that kind of strenuous activity, so I stick to creating casual chaos in the streets instead.

Would you recommend trains and public transport as a good canvas for art?

Not really it’s a bit difficult to hang up on your living room wall! Ha! See what I did there…….no but seriously if you want to get up and you want to make a bajillion people nauseous at the sight of your scribbles every day, it’s definitely the way forward! The adrenalin is nice too.

You tag all over the world – does your art reflect each city’s personality?

I find that when I travel I become somewhat akin to a cultural sponge. I just absorb everything around me and then that inspiration just eeks out in my work. All the different cultures, people and places I have experienced drive the creative machine that is Krah. However by far the most inspiring trip I have taken was to Tokyo, it was like a different planet, I loved it and I definitely want to go and paint there again. But I still hate sushi.

What kind of reaction do you want to evoke from your art?

CAUTION VIEWING MAY CAUSE: swelling, itchiness, defecation, hang over-like effects, ring-sting, ingrown toenails, the desire to tear off all your clothes and run down the street singing “we all live in a yellow submarine” (hopefully this will affect mostly the females of the species), anger, rebellious tendencies from the waist down, vegetarianism, procreation, and a deep disconcerting desire to take up some ridiculous sport like under water golf.

Much of your work contains cyborg-like creatures – would you cryogenically freeze yourself in the hope of becoming half man half human in the future? Or perhaps a bionic man – which part of your body would you bionofy?

I used to know a girl who made me want to freeze myself. I tried some diy cryogenics in the refrigerator at home but my girl friend eventually found me and following a vigorous defrost I was ok. I think. But I still get an erection whenever I see penguins on tv…... So I guess I missed my chance to see the future, but if I was a cyborg-like creature I would be the bastard son of Tetsuo from Akira and those sexy Gigger bitches with bionic wrists because repetitive strain syndrome isn’t a joke people it’s the doom of all truly talented artists.

Some of your stuff’s up on youtube – do you think this is the future of street art, so the public see the process and the creation of the piece, rather than just the finished article?

No, I don’t think the revolution will be televised and neither is the future of street-art going to be video documentaries of street actions on poo-tube. I truly believe the next step is “graff-happy slapping” recorded on mobile phones, there will come a day when gangs of street artists will roam the streets pouncing on innocent citizens and paint them to create living street art. Sadly this is a bit reminiscent of what the hippies use to do back in the day spraying paint on women that wore fur coats! What is this world coming to when the generation of today cant come up with any original ideas ay? Still…… it would be fun wouldn’t it?

Where would be your dream place in London to tag, no holds barred?

I would like to hack into the Piccadilly circus animated advert screens and show animated anti-establishment videos, however my hacking abilities border on dysfunctional so I don’t think I will manage that. It would be cool to get remote controlled helicopters big spray cans attached and paint the Gerkin tower, or just to crash them into the queens palace, that would be strangely fulfilling I think.

You’ve got an exhibition opening at the Pure Evil gallery in May – is this your first gallery show? How do you feel having your work shown in a gallery space as opposed to the streets? Does it change the context of your work or how it is received/viewed?

The space is a part of the gallery 3 rooms in the basement, it hasn’t got freshly painted white walls like a normal gallery, it has an underground feel to it, it looks more like a dungeon. It strangely has an open air bit that is exposed to the elements that gives it that out-side feel. The pure evil gallery shows work of street-artists from all over the globe so I am proud to show my work there. This will be my first solo show in the East End, I have previously exhibited in Tokyo Japan, Athens Greece and in the UK. I don’t think exhibiting in a gallery changes my work the only difference is that its legal and its on sale (horray!), the work that I do in the streets is aimed at the everyday type of person that is just passing by that spot and I do it for free! its like little surprises that pop up all over the city to brake the monotony of day to day routine. I am hoping that people by seeing my work at the show, will come to truly hate Krah and then through reverse psychology I shall become rich and infamous. But the best way is to see it for your self, come along on the 22nd of May and get a bit tipsy, please don’t hurt me. Spitting is ok.

Is your move to sculpture recent? Is this something you think you’ll work more with? What other mediums would you like to work in?

Its something I wanted to do for a log time, I like to experiment with different materials, however most of the materials at my disposal at the moment can be described using the words “cheap and cheerful”. Working in 3d is very effective and it’s easier for the viewer to relate to it. I want to evolve my style and try making sculptures with plastic and vinyl in the near future. I love the shiny plastic surfaces with the vector like curves a bit like huge toys. I also want to start making installations with projections for lighting, and maybe even making metal sculptures and welding them in the street.

Do you think Banksy killed or raised the appeal of street art – has it killed the underground quality?

I remember seeing Banksy’s work before he was blown up in the media, I like his work and love his ideas. But who cares really, so what if he’s rich and famous …… I’m a lover not a hater! I think the man brought the worlds attention to a fresh politically and socially stimulating style of graffiti and happened to cash in on the way. But he wasn’t the first and I hope he won’t be the last! So lets keep Graffiti today as an urban underground art movement, lets try and retain what little street cred we have left and then sell out when the price is right because to be perfectly honest I’m tired of beans on toast for dinner every night.
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New Print from Henry Reeve

We've just released this new amazing print from our friend Mr. Henry Reeve. We've only produced an edition of 30, so if you want one get in quick.

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Dan Kitchener's Formation B Mural at Cargo

Dan Kitchener has done a fine job of painting his Formation B on the very exclusive wall at London's infamous Cargo. He's in with some very good company with the likes of Banksy & Hush as neighbours. Do yourself a favour and head on down to this Shoreditch haunt and check out his amazing mural, then get your own one from LAB . Check Dan's site for more info http://www.dankitchener.co.uk/

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Semi Permanent 2008

I've just come back from a trip to Australia where I was lucky enough to hook up with Ben Frost and the crew from StupidKrap. They're busily preparing for the Semi Permanent 2008 Kids Today exhibition. Check out the artist list on the flyer.

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The Krah Exibition at The Pure Evil Gallery

22nd May - 4th June 2008
108 Leonard Street
Shoreditch
London
EC2A 4RH
Our favorite man in the alleys is coming up for air with his one man show from May 22nd get it inked in your diary.

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Interview with Oh Death

An interview by Kendal Morgan

This photo was taken when Oh Death dropped in to our office during the week to sign one of his prints.

Where did the moniker of Oh-Death come from?

I think I saw it on a flyer or a notice? I thought it was a pretty
original name so I kept it. I haven't seen it being used anywhere
since so it became the moniker of my creative output as a side project
and collective aside from normal commercial work.

What inspired it and what is its meaning to you?

As well as sounding quite original, the name also lends itself to
quite a dark area of design, skulls, horror etc. but I've stayed well
away from attaching a goth/emo tag to the name. I like designs and
graphics that make subliminal statements, that are dark in humour and
content and not your everyday tee graphic. To me, Death is fascinating
as its the be all and end all of life and is feared by almost
everyone. This provides scope for designs as well setting a mood for
the moniker as something different.

How do the collective blend illustration, graphics and music?

As a collective we all studied graphic design and went into working
within the fashion graphics industry in one way or another. We each
have an independent design and illustration style so we can all bring
something different to the table when creating graphics. As for music,
two of us have previously Djed together and organised party events and
have aspirations to focus more on producing and remixing music.
Oh-Death brings together everyone's creative interest that we can not
achieve through our normal 9-5 jobs and provides a base where all
talent's can be fused, be it a record sleeve, poster, T-shirt or
mixtape.

Do you think one artistic concept can easily translate across many
mediums?

I already use my illustrations to print on both T-shirts and Posters.
I like to be able to make the work accessible to everyone. If you
don't want to wear a T-shirt, get the poster and vice versa. I also
believe that all artistic concepts are inspired by each other in one
way or another. Music is a big inspiration on my work just as
illustration complements music in the form of album sleeve artwork.

It seems like many different pop culture icons find their way into the
work. How do you choose the icons you decide to interpret and there
any common aspect they all share?

I find myself heavily influenced by pop culture, what I see and hear
every day. I tend not to fall into the hype of the media, believing
everything I read. I try and look at it from different angles. I like
to make people aware of my view on things, through my work. Its a hard
thing to achieve and I have no doubt that a high percentage of people
who like my work like it for its design rather than its aesthetic
purposes. The Vamp design for example was a response to the media's
portrayal of Amy Winehouse. Every day I read the same story about her
and it bemused me how callous the media can be, just to sell papers.
In the illustration I portrayed Winehouse as a vampire, a creature of
the night, someone who was feared or hated by the public because of
them being different just as Vampire's have been portrayed in films
and stories.

How do you feel about the crossover between street art and fine art?
Are the two genres so vastly different or is there more in common than
we might first think?

I think both are different in their own ways but both are mediums of
which the artist can convey a message or meaning to the viewer. Of
course I am opinionated about art pieces in both areas, some are good,
others are not. I think as long as the piece can engage the viewer
then I believe that both areas are alike. Artists like Banksy are
paving the way for street art to be accepted into museums by what has
been traditionally ignored by the art world.

Is fine art cannibalizing the freshness of graffiti and street artists?

I think admirers and artists alike need to be aware of other art
mediums or platforms. Whether street art makes it into galleries or
not, it should still be respected just the same. Street art is made
with a limited life span as you never know when it'll get sprayed over
or washed off the wall. Preserving it in the form of posters and
t-shirts is, in my opinion just the same as having a gallery pin a
piece on its wall.

What is your ultimate goal for your creations? Is it more important to
have them hanging in the Tate, or on a street corner where all kinds
of people can see them?

I invision Oh-Death bringing together fashion, illustration and music
and being accessible for all. Of course it would be a privilege to get
some work into the Tate but I want to get it out there as much as
possible. T-shirts are a good form of exposure but if you want to just
hang a print in your home that's fine too. Both individually and as a
collective we do what we love doing and try to get it out there into
the public eye.

Oh Death limited edition prints are available to purchase on our site http://www.littleartbook.com/. You can also find out more about him on his blog and on myspace

http://oh-death.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/ohdeathdisco

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Random Cuts Gallery at Indo Whitechapel

Little Art Book's friend Random Cuts present their own show at Indo in Whitechapel London. Opening night Monday 11th Feb drinks from 6pm. See you there.

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Live Screen Printing at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes

LAB has teamed up with Pin Up London to introduce Live Screen Printing starting Saturday Feb 9th down at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes London www.wearepinup.com. This month's exclusive print is signed and numbered by the amazing Richard Hogg, we have 100 prints to be sold on the night and a very limited amount will be saved for the LAB gallery. So get your drink on and see you on the lanes.

LAB

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New Print From The Krah

January was a month spent organising for LAB. We've been doing a lot of work behind the scenes and are now ready to kick off some printing.

First off the press is a great two colour hand pulled screen print by The Krah. We've sourced some really high quality handmade paper and gotten our crazy French screenprinter to work to produce these prints.

For a more detailed view and to spend some money head to our site.

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The Krah - Profile

The Krah is one of the most known and cutting edge street artists to come out of Greece. Brought up in Athens he started graffiti from a very young age starting off as a common vandal tagging his neighbourhood and working his way up to his first characters sprayed on a wall in 1997.

Inspired by the street art scene he started creating comics, posters and flyers (for punk gigs and underground raves) before landing his first full time job as an illustrator working for a skate wear company in Athens called ‘Nicotine’. His talents earned him a spot in the SR Squad, one of the top graffiti crews in Athens notorious for doing graffiti on both the subway and metro lines. SR Squad quickly became known around the graffiti scene in Europe through graffiti magazines, videos and from frequent inter-rail tours around Europe. In his late teens he went to study illustration in the UK where he was drafted into the 101 crew and continued to terrorise the trains for many years to come.
He frequently visits Athens, and together with b. was one of the first graffiti artists in Greece that moved from the classic graffiti style to using paint brushes, stencils and other techniques to draw in the streets.
Now he lives a life of leisure and works as a freelance illustrator. However, he still finds time to be an active street artist living and scribbling all over London. His passion is particularly evident in the streets around Brick Lane and Shoreditch areas of East London. His street art can be seen in websites like: Wooster collective, Eco-system and Art-Crimes. Occasionally he even puts down his paint brush to attend live painting graffiti festivals such as Write4Gold, Sleeping Giants and Meeting of Styles.
Many of his characters have found their way onto the pages of numerous magazines and books all over Europe and he has also worked as an animator for an on-line computer games company.
He is continually exhibiting and has held previous exhibitions in Tokyo Japan, Athens Greece and in the U.K.

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New wall work from Inkfetish

Here's Inkfetish doing what he does best in full colour

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