Amongst many 3D art works on walls around the East End, the imposing Lord Jagannath on Brick Lane is perhaps Cityzen Kane’s most high profile piece, having been photographed for Time Out and accepted as an integral reflection of the character of the area. Long time resident of Stoke Newington, Cityzen Kane’s local exhibition at Rich Mix, precedes the display of his 2D and 3D works in a legal street art area along London’s South Bank. 

The show at Rich Mix, his first solo exhibition, opened on May 3rd with live-streamed private view, over head projections giving a bird’s eye view of the artist in creation of some of his works and a sound design back drop. The works range from representations of snake, fish, insects and faith icons to guns in gold and flamboyant flame, bedecked with bright colours, glitter and luminous geometric design. Staged beneath the café area, one descends into the gallery space with a sense of the exhibits, as they would be on exterior walls.

Starting with a master design made from polymer clay Cityzen Kane then replicates the works in Plaster of Paris. The sculptures take inspiration from a range of sources as diverse as the 80’s house music scene to Hari Krishna, and ‘the alien’. As a committed activist Cityzen Kane sees street art as an important medium for uncensored political statement. With his art he says his message is simple: ‘to brighten up the streets and leave the viewer with the impression that they have been there for millennia’. From the intricate design to the labour intensive production the weight and bulk of the designs and the process of attaching them securely at strategically focal points on the walls of London, this work is in many respects the antithesis of what we have become familiar with in Street Art: the spray can icons of many city walls. This individual and outstanding feature characterises Cityzen Kane and his work as challenging to our preconceptions of what we might expect from Street Art. Take the opportunity to view his work here at Rich Mix as a unique collection, by contrast with the individually placed pieces out on the London Streets. If you happen to meet CZK when you’re there he may well give you an exhibition extra: a showing of one of his geometric luminous creations in full glow.

Bryony Hegarty

More details about Rich Mix, including a map can be found in Full Listings