Three The Hard Way – Los Angeles and Berlin
Los Angeles opening 6 – 10pm, Friday, August 18th.
For press and artwork inquiries please email info@hvw8.com
In Fine Style: The Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious
HVW8 Gallery in collaboration with One Love Books presents In Fine Style: The Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious, the first West Coast solo exhibition of work by prolific Jamaican illustrator Wilfred Limonious (1949–99). The display includes reproductions of work from the early 1970s through the mid-1990s, spanning three key phases in Limonious’ career: his comic strips for the Jamaican newspapers, his illustrations for the publications of JAMAL (the Jamaican Movement for the Advancement of Literacy), and his distinctive artwork for the burgeoning dancehall scene coming out of 1980s Jamaica. The exhibition is curated by Al “Fingers” Newman and Christopher Bateman and accompanies their book, In Fine Style: The Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious (One Love Books, 2016).
Portrait of Wilfred Limonious from The Star newspaper, 18 May 1985 (Gibbs Photo).
Amos comic strip from The Star newspaper, 10 November 1971.
Back cover illustration from the LP Animal Party by Papa San (Scar Face Music, 1986).
Jah Woosh, Religious Dread (Trojan, 1978), rephotographed at the Parish Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Kensal Green, London W10, 38 years later.
Carroll Thompson, Hopelessly in Love (Carib Gems, 1981), rephotographed on Milton Avenue, London NW10, 34 years later
Al Campbell, Rainy Days (Hawkeye, 1978), rephotographed in King Edward VII Park, London NW10, 38 years later.
BERLIN — HVW8 Gallery Berlin in collaboration with One Love Books presents
THREE THE HARD WAY
WILFRED LIMONIOUS: IN FINE STYLE
ALEX BARTSCH: COVERS
MAXINE WALTERS: SERIOUS THINGS A GO HAPPEN
September 8th – October 14th, 2017
Opening Reception September 8th 18:00 – 22:00
In Fine Style: The Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious, is the first solo exhibition of work by prolific Jamaican illustrator Wilfred Limonious (1949–99) in Germany, and includes reproductions of work from the early 1970s through the mid-1990s, spanning three key phases in his career: his comic strips for the Jamaican newspapers, his illustrations for the publications of JAMAL (the Jamaican Movement for the Advancement of Literacy), and his distinctive artwork for the burgeoning dancehall scene coming out of 1980s Jamaica. The exhibition is curated by Al “Fingers” Newman and Christopher Bateman and is produced by One Love Books with the support of the Limonious Estate, to accompany their book, In Fine Style: The Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious, the first study into the artist’s life and work.
London-based photographer Alex Bartsch makes his debut at HVW8 Gallery Berlin with photographs from his book, Covers: Retracing Reggae Record Sleeves in London, forthcoming on One Love Books. After researching various reggae LPs and twelve-inches from his record collection, Bartsch has re-photographed fifty sleeves in their original London locations, holding them up at arm’s-length so that they blend in with their surroundings, decades later. Presented in this way, the photographs document the transition of time, with the album cover serving as a window into the past, juxtaposed against today’s backdrop. From an ethnomusicological perspective the photographs also provide a fascinating insight into the history of reggae music in London, inviting the viewer to rethink the relationship between the city and its musical heritage. The exhibition includes ten select prints from the project, featuring records by artists such as John Holt, Carroll Thompson, Peter Tosh, Moodie, Jah Woosh, Pat Kelly and Smiley Culture.
Serious Things a Go Happen features various original signs and posters from the early 1980s through today, drawn from the collection of Jamaican film and television producer and director Maxine Walters. Jamaican dancehall emerged out of reggae in the late 1970s and brought with it a new visual style characterized by bright colors and bold, hand-drawn lettering. One-of-a-kind, hand-painted posters advertising local parties and concerts have become a ubiquitous part of Jamaica’s landscape, nailed to poles and trees across the island. The exhibition in conjunction with Walters’ book Serious Things A Go Happen: Three Decades of Jamaican Dancehall Signs (Hat & Beard Press) presents an unofficial history of Jamaican dancehall music told through its graphic design.
Gallery & media contact
HVW8 Gallery Berlin , Linienstraße 161, 10115 Berlin
Jenne Grabowski
+49(0)179 – 488 1004
jenne@hvw8.com
Jenny Ames
+49(0)177 – 142 8588
jenny@hvw8.com
Supported by adidas Originals and Denon DJ
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