2306_A5quer_SMASH_Booklet_single

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SMASH137 aka Adrian Falkner – A language of his own SMASH137 aka Adrian Falkner has walked a path in graffiti that nobody has walked quite like he has. Born in 1979, the Swiss contemporary artist and graffiti writer has many correlations with the story of many traditional graffiti artists. A path that often documents the discovery of spray paint with the hand-in-hand development of personal style at a similar point in life. For Falkner, it was at the age of 11 in 1990 in his hometown Basel that he connected these two dots and landed at a third point we know as graffiti writing. He described in his own words that he used letters as a scaffold for a long time which eventually made way to abstract painting. As early as 1997, seven years after his graffiti practice had started, he was already recognized as a talented artist by the Museum of Fine Arts in Basel resulting in his first solo exhibition, A walk on the wild side. The significance of his graffiti history is unmistakable in the artist‘s later works, which exude an echo of the streets, even when confined within a gallery. However, SMASH137‘s ability to shift seamlessly from wall to canvas while maintaining his distinctive style is a testament to his artistic versatility and evolution. One of SMASH137‘s earlier and very popular projects, „Smash Trash,“ beautifully exemplifies this evolution. For 365 days, he breathed life into daily black and white sketches, each piece showcasing his innovative approach to letter work. These creations, seemingly simple at first glance, revealed their complexity through fluid lines and intricate details, testifying to SMASH137‘s deft ability to weave together the raw energy of graffiti styles with timeless aesthetics.
This booklet brings you into contact with SMASH137‘s recent explorations, presenting a selection of pencil sketches on paper. While they echo the spirit of the „Smash Trash“ project, these new creations offer a closer look at the ongoing evolution of the artist‘s unique style. Immerse yourself in these sketches, appreciate their intricate details, and revel in the bold simplicity of SMASH137‘s artistry. This booklet also presents SMASH137‘s recent Pieces, painted on the walls of Napoli, Italy. These pieces represent his quest to find the perfect letters fitting the form of a spray can, leading to the creation of the 25th Montana BLACK Artist Edition by SMASH137. Enjoy this intimate journey through the pages, a journey that illustrates the fusion of raw urban expression and the refined beauty of reduction. SMASH137‘s oneline style – a seemingly infinite, uninterrupted, free-flowing stroke – forces the viewer to confront and engage with the piece. The rhythm and the motion embedded within these lines are simultaneously wild and harmonious, reflecting the beautiful paradox that is graffiti art. The strength of his artwork lies in its simplicity: clean outlines that boldly stand in stark contrast to the raw surfaces they adorn. This juxtaposition between highly aesthetic lines and unrefined backdrops communicates a powerful message of reduction, an exploration into the beauty of minimalism. Echoing Zen principles, SMASH137’s work exemplifies the profound strength and power inherent in simplicity, inviting the viewer to appreciate the purity of form and the eloquence of understatement.
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Artworks © 2023 by Adrian Falkner
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