Post by jefaerosol on Feb 6, 2008 22:36:52 GMT
The "WAKE UP" print
The print is 40 x 40 cm, edition of 50, numbered on the left and
signed/dated 08 on the right, on white thick cardpaper, straight edges.
It was hand printed by Olivier Marescaux, at TTDMRT studios, Troyes (France)
It will be released at the opening of the "Spray it Loud" Jef Aerosol exhibition organized by Blind Angle Gallery at the Islington Arts Factory (London), on february 8th 2008.
(On the same night, the long awaited high quality print "SITTING KID" will be released by Blind Angle and it's a BEAUTIFUL one !)
"This brand new print is a tremendously important image for me, as it was
the first stencil I ever cut, way back in 1982, from a photobooth self
portrait.
It's the very first one I spray painted on the walls of Tours (France) more
than 25 years ago !
The Mickey ears were added later.
I've already cut this stencil many times since that time and I can't imagine
never using it again !
It has become my "avatar" and as much a "trademark" as my red arrow, and for
a lot of people who have known my street stencils since the beginnings, it
is definitely symbolic of my work.
I think I like this selfportrait for its energy, its "punk" and wild
aspects, the way it can be seen as a shout as well as a laughter...
The Mickey ears were added a while ago and they obviously state that I
belong to the "Disney generation" even though I reject "Dysney Kultur" and
all it implies !
The "Wake up" wording underlines this and means : come on, free yourself
from that consumer society and think for yourself, don't be a manipulated
Mickey !
The fact the print isn't on high quality paper but on cardpaper (like a
vinyl album cover) adds to its "cheap punk" side, and the price is also
quite cheap : 50 pounds...
I'm also happy with the spraypaint aspect that shows well.
I had wanted to release this image as a print for quite a long time and here
it is now, in a very limited edition... Enjoy !"
(Jef Aérosol, feb.2008)
