me to please for a postcard and sticker.

Thankyou for such a great gesture and goodluck

I don't think I've seen 25 replies so if in time a postcard and sticker pls

Project update. Just starting day 3 and thought i'd give you a sneak peak. Coming on nicely. Prints look amazing. More info on those soon.





Mail me for higher res or for more information
Danny@Unit-44.com

Tremendous, that wall is a perfect canvas.

Detailed snaps of the finished wall...









Print update coming later today.

The Dutch artist Handiedan combines her signature 1920’s pin-up girls with antique bank notes and stamps, among other fascinating items sourced from all over the world, to create her unique and incredibly detailed collages. Handiedan’s recently completed ‘White Wall’ at Hoults Yard in Newcastle is her first ever piece outdoors – it looks incredible! I met up with Handiedan to ask her some questions about her art and her latest project.



How would you describe your occupation?
Full time artist, I used to be a graphic designer but I quit in 2010 after a show with ‘Phone Booth’ gallery.

I’ve read in previous interviews that you drew with your grandfather at a very early age; when did you first start collaging in your current style and what drew you to it?
I started collaging in 2007; I’d just moved to Amsterdam and started to do some more free-lance work next to my graphic design job. I wanted to put everything I loved and appreciated into one piece.

What is it about the pin-ups you use in your work that attracts you to keep using them?
I think that old vintage pin-ups are funny and intriguing. The early 1920s and 30s were a really sexual time. You can imagine the pin-ups I use in my work saying ‘oops, there goes my dress!’.

My women are very feminine and not so much about big tits, blond hair and big lips. These days pin-ups are more vulgar and not elegant. For me it’s nice to see where the border is - when I walk through Amsterdam’s red-light district, most of the women I see look very cheap and I can say ‘ok, this is too much for me’.

What has your experience been like working with unit44? Do you think your work is conveyed as well on the ‘white wall’ as it is when exhibited in a gallery?
For me this is a really great experience, I’m so happy to have been given the opportunity to do the wall. I’ve always wanted to do this - when I design I add all the small details in my pieces so it’s very interesting to see the different layers and all the small details when it’s blown up. The unit44 guys are great. They’re very devoted which inspires me!



Although this is the first mural you have done on the ‘street’ you seem to be heavily associated with the urban art scene; do you think this is because of your style, mentality or something else altogether?
I think it is because of the pasting I do on metal, old wood and found materials. People often think I am a street artist as sometimes I use material from comic books and iconic figures in my work. I have always thought my work would translate well on a wall. We have found out in these past couple of days that it really does!

Do you see the experience of painting outside as an important transition for you as an artist and your work? Will we see any changes in the future?
Yes we will definitely see more walls if I get the opportunity; this experience has been one big wish come true. This is my first wall outside and I am really happy with how the structure of the wall is still visible through the image, which is the same with my originals – I always work with the texture of the metal or the wood.




You collaborated with ‘The London Police’ In your most recent show at ‘Black Book Gallery’ – what aspects of their art do you think complement your work and why?
My first thoughts were that the work of ‘The London Police’ is totally different from mine. However, we started working together because ‘Black Book gallery’ invited us both so, although are work is totally different, we inspired each other. Like my work, you can look at work by ‘The London Police’ for hours and see all the different details.

We did one collaboration together which I am very happy with, I did my drawing together with Chaz’s ‘lad’ in the foreground and all Bob’s graphic illustrations in the background – it really came together well.



If you could collaborate with one artist – living or dead - who would it be?
I met Hush yesterday. I really love his art so I’m really happy I met him - he’s a really nice guy. It would be cool if we could do something together. So, if you asked me now I would say Hush.

Speaking of TLP, what is the urban art scene like in Holland?
Holland is small but there are some good street artists there. It’s hard in Holland to do street art because you don’t have the big walls like in London or Berlin so artists can only paint small walls. Amsterdam doesn’t support street art but now the new organisation; Amsterdam Street Art (ASA), are organising big street art events with international street artists. There’s progress being made in Holland and some good stuff happening.

Do you collect art and if so, what art do you have on your walls?
The work on my walls often comes from swaps with other artists. I have some Jeff Soto which I really like. I also have a print by Newcastle’s Prefab 77 – I have their one colour screen-print of the phone booth with the flowers growing around it. I want too much!

Any plans for the future we should hear about?
After this wall is finished I will return to Holland to work on three or four originals for a group show with ‘Spoke Art’, in San Francisco, in September. I also have a solo show in November with ‘Phone Booth’ gallery – look out for that!


photos courtesy of alannewcastle, handiedan, unit44 and phone booth gallery

We have just received confirmation that the prints are with Handiedan now for final touches, numbering, and signing. Exciting times. See progress shots from the US printer below (After 8 layers)




We have also released the original workings from the White Walls Project and have already been flooded with enquiries. The piece is beautiful and comes ready to hang however we have offered to box frame the piece if preferred. Details below.

Trois No.5
Mixed media. UV ink print, print & collage, paint & pen on old metal (zinc)
20" x 24.5" / 50,5 x 62 cm
Signed by the artist with certificate.
2011
£1750

www.unit-44.com/gallery/handiedan/trois-no-5.html

That's gorgeous, def. one of her best.

ecb, on Han's site she noted it would be at the end of July. Good luck!

Thanks guys/gals. This is a must have even if I fail at the Unit44 release, I'll be buying this off of ebay. Gotta have it!!

i got a couple of show cards and sticker

I did, thanks a lot!

3pm Tomorrow - Unit-44.com



Danny@unit-44.com

No stickers here, and was sure i was in first 25 posters