Rich Simmons (born 20 February 1986) is a British pop artist based in London.
Rich Simmons | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard Simmons 20 February 1986 |
| Known for | Pop art Street art |
| Awards | Prestige Awards, Contemporary Artist of the Year (2022, 2022) |
| Website | www |
Overview
editSimmons' depiction of Batman Kissing Superman gained notability when it was painted in London and New York City.[1] In 2015 the mural in London was defaced in an act of 'homophobic vandalism', reaching condemnation from the leader of Croydon Council leader Tony Newman, also the owner of a print by Simmons. [2]
In 2011, he commemorated the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William with a punk mural on an official graffiti wall on London's South Bank, inspired by the iconic 1970s photograph of the Sex Pistols’ Sid Vicious and girlfriend Nancy Reid taken by Jamie Reid.[3]
In 2012, 2013 and 2014 Simmons had solo shows at Imitate Modern in London's West End.[4] From 2014 to 2015 he had a solo show at Soho Contemporary Art in SoHo, Manhattan.[5]
In 2022, a Burberry trench coat painted by Simmons was shown at London Fashion Week, in a collaboration with label Gent London, to promote sustainability and climate awareness. Simmons used a pop-art butterfly technique he is known for called “Skullerflies", with a percentage of the proceeds of the garment's sale donated to environmental charities.[6]
Exhibitions
edit2011: The Street Art Show, Opera Gallery, London
2012: Just Be You Tiful, Imitate Modern, London
2013: Inner Outsider, Imitate Modern, London
2014: Kryptonite, Imitate Modern, London. London Calling, Soho Contemporary Art, New York
2015: Misfits, Soho Contemporary Art, New York. Corrosively Bright, CASS Contemporary, Tampa
2016: Reflections, Pop Up Exhibition, London
2017: Self Titled, Soho Contemporary Art, New York. Pop Provocateur, Box Galleries, London
2018: Pop Rocks, Imitate Modern, London
2019: Men of Steel, Women of Wonder, Cristal Museum of American Art, Bentonville
2019: Imaginarium, Box Galleries, London
2022: Self Titled, Taglialatella Galleries, New York
2023: Quintestencil, Henarch Galleries, London
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Superman Kissing Batman". HuffPost.
- ^ "Artist Rich Simmons's claim of 'homophobic vandalism' after Croydon mural of Batman and Superman kissing is defaced". Sutton & Croydon Guardian.
- ^ "Kate Middleton and Prince William become punk royalty in new street art". Metro.
- ^ "Rich Simmons". Imitate Modern.
- ^ "London Calling". kissinglions.com.
- ^ https://wwd.com/sustainability/business/why-gent-london-artist-painted-burberry-trench-upcycled-collection-london-fashion-week-1235306590/
- ^ https://www.richsimmonsart.com/exhibitions