CONTEMPORARY CURATED LONDON PRESENT 'AGAINST THE WALL' AT SOTHEBY'S

Sotheby’s London update for you! This November, Sotheby’s and leading men’s health charity, the Movember Foundation, will offer ten powerful new works from the world’s most prolific street artists. Harnessing the distinct urban style for which they are famed, each artist has created an agenda-setting piece motivated by, and aimed at nurturing, open conversations surrounding men’s mental health and suicide prevention. The bold works will go on view to the public in Sotheby’s London galleries as part of the ‘Contemporary Curated’ exhibition. Proceeds from the sale of these works on November 20 will benefit the Movember Foundation and their dedicated investment in ground-breaking mental health programmes.

Above: Street Artist Conor Harrington at Work in studio | Cover image: D*Face, Console the Lonely, credit - © Lionel Belluteau

The initiative has been spearheaded by artist and gallery owner Dean Stockton, whose vibrant Pop Art murals, which draw comparison to the impactful comic-strip canvases of Roy Lichtenstein, have propelled him onto the international stage. Better known as D*Face, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the nature of his profession, Stockton explains:

“At its core, Street Art has always been about breaking barriers, both physical and social. By emerging from the confinements of the traditional gallery space, it allowed people of all description to engage with the medium of art. In much the same way, I strongly believe Street Art has the ability to breach the social stigma of men’s mental health –  to collapse this invisible boundary that’s causing men to keep their struggles to themselves. It’s no secret that many artists across history, including myself, have battled with issues of isolation and loneliness. What Street Art brings to the table for both artist and viewer alike is a catalyst for conversation, a common point of reference for casual discussion and precisely what men struggling with their mental health are in need of. 

My own contribution to the exhibition, ‘Console the Lonely’, deals with the subject matter head on, in the hope that it will inspire more similarly direct exchanges between male friends regarding their mental wellbeing. So much can be achieved in such a few words, someone just needs to start the conversation."

Felipe Pantone, Chromadynamica #76

D*Face’s strikingly poignant Console the Lonely will be unveiled alongside works from further high-profile names, including the creator of OBEY Shepard Fairey, street-artist turned art-world-prodigy Jonathan Yeo, and orchestrator of a worldwide ‘space invasion’, Invader.

Complementing the sale of the original works, Stolen Space Gallery will be offering a limited number of exclusive prints by the artists involved in the project. These will be on sale from November through the Stolen Space website. 

JC – Co-Founder, the Movember Foundation

“Art has been changing perceptions and starting conversations throughout history. At the Movember Foundation, we’re seeking to change behavior in men on a global scale. “Against the wall” is an amazing project to help achieve our goals. Through the art, but perhaps more importantly through the artists themselves, we can start really important, life saving conversations between men. By stepping out from behind the canvas these amazing artists are showing their own vulnerability and starting their own conversations around men’s mental health and suicide prevention that we can all be inspired by to take positive action in our own lives.  We are truly grateful for the support and collaboration from D*Face, the rest of the artists involved and Sotheby’s.” 

Boris Cornelissen – Head of Sale, Sotheby’s

“This unique exhibition brings to the fore brave artworks borne from the personal experiences of the artists, their friends, their families, and men all over the world. A movement that at its very core is about passionate social and political expression, I can’t help but feel that street art is the perfect medium to foster open conversation on men’s mental health. Building on a rich history, street art has been having a renaissance in recent years, with artists such as Basquiat, Banksy and Rammellzee rising to meteoric heights. We are looking forward to introducing such a large number of street artists to a new audience, in this first for New Bond Street.”

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