When the contemporary artist Sam Harris presented his latest artwork to an elderly relative for her approval she was able to sum it up in two words; “Pure Filth!”. This now
infamous utterance has been reclaimed and becomes the title of this collaborative publication.
Featuring original artworks from a wide community of artists, designers and creatives, ‘Pure Filth’ exists as a compendium for the
most contentious, intoxicating and downright filthy artworks the current contemporary art scene has to offer!
Established, veteran artists such as Duggie Fields, Bob and Roberta Smith and Gilbert and George – whose notorious
early self-portrait entitled George the Cunt and Gilbert the Shit acted to preempt any disapproval or judgement – shared the pages with young, emerging artists such as Ant Hamlyn, Ariane Hughes and Philip Gerald, whose crudely bootlegged
art historical masterpieces often feature their subjects urinating or defecating. Artists who made their name in the underground street art and graffiti scenes, such as Isaac Cordal, David Shillinglaw and Slinkachu, join those renowned
for their unique choice of material, such as Benjamin Murphy (black electrical tape on glass, typically), Henry Hudson (plasticine) and Chemical X (ecstasy pills). Work by comedian, Great British Bake Off host and artist Noel Fielding
sits alongside that of conceptual artist Joe Sweeney, whose anti-Brexit phone box installation +44 ‘Leave a Message for Europe’ made national headlines.
Perhaps ‘Pure Filth’ could serve as an antidote to the current climate
of censorship, scandal and outrage addiction, or at the very least act as a bastion for artistic expression, unbridled creatives and much-needed humour.
– Hector Campbell, Art Historian, Writer & Curator
Online Shop
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theonlineartshow.co.uk
For
those wanting to make a statement about Covid-19 without following the crowd of rainbows, Gilbert & George are here to help. They’re the latest artists to offer up some free downloadable art for your living room window – although
their take is a little different from the rest.
“Gilbert & George say: Don’t catch it!” screams one poster. “Gilbert & George say: Don’t get it!” declares another. You have been warned. The artworks are part of an
initiative from the artist Sam Harris, whose website the Online Art Show boasts the motto “If you can’t come to art then art will come to you” and features a selection of artists’ work to buy online.
“It was an idea I had for artists to display art they had for sale,” says Harris. “The site takes you to their Instagram account or website so you can contact them to buy the artworks.”
Harris’s
website is an extension of his print zine Pure Filth which features 80 artists including the likes of Jake and Dinos Chapman and Noel Fielding. Gilbert & George are not the only artists offering free window displays. The site
also features art by Hayden Kays, otherwise known as the favourite artist of Harry Styles. Kays’ work comes in two parts, each featuring a different half of a rainbow – the first asks you to “stay home”, the second requests you
“stay homo”.
- Tim Jonz for The Guardian