Amazon Synopsis

"Spank The Monkey" is an international survey of recent contemporary urban art by independent curator Pedro Alonzo and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art Director Peter Doroshenko. Starring both artists from the established art arena and those from the 'street art' scene, who have created an art system of their own, far removed from that of the museum and gallery circuit, it addresses the parallels between these two functioning and often entirely separate art worlds. Presenting new and recent works by twenty-two artists who share a remarkable creative vitality and innovative spirit, the accompanying essays examine the works and place them in a broad context of urban and street art. "Spank The Monkey' brings together established art world figures and heroes from the Street scene, ranging from works by Barry Mc Gee and iconic street artist Miss Van, through to Japanese graphic designers Groovisions, a billboard campaign by Shepard Fairey, a sculpture and painting installation by graffiti artists Os Gemeos, Swoon's signature wheat paste ups in a uniquely designed cityscape and urban interventions by Banksy. Featuring painting, sculpture, drawing, graphic design, installation, illustration and photography, they evoke a distinctive and irreverent vision informed as much by independent music, street culture, graphic design, manga comics, skateboarding, surfing, fashion and politics, as by the conventions of the contemporary art world. This book harnesses the energy of some of the most significant artists to emerge from this new international sub-culture. Featured artists include: Chiho Aoshima, Banksy, Dzine, Dr. Lakra, Faile, Freaks Gallery, Shepard Fairey, Groovisions, Invader, Kozyndan, Barry McGee, Ryan McGinness, Takashi Murakami, Miss Van, Neasden Control Centre, Os Gemeos, David Shrigley, Natasha Struchkova, Swoon, Aya Takano, Ed Templeton, and Yasumasa Yonehara.

Does anyone know if the Baltic show is going to be worth heading up to and is there anything worthwhile picking up while I am there?

I do have a beard and my rucksack is camo. I'm never going to make it through!

Please mail me if you find anymore info.

www.goodgalleryguide.com/newsitem.aspx?id=111

Watch Out Banksy's About - 27/10/2006

Work by the UK’s most eminent “guerilla” artist, Banksy, is due to appear on Newcastle’s Quayside within the next few days.

Rumours suggest that the now infamous crumpled red telephone box, that originally appeared in Soho - before being promptly removed by Westminster council, will be installed as part of the Spank the Monkey exhibition, which is currently running across Newcastle and Gateshead – featuring work by some of the world’s greatest urban artists.

Banksy is famed for his undercover approach to his artwork, which often makes strong political statements. Starting out as a graffiti artist, he moved into stencil work and has left his mark in places as far afield as LA and the West Bank.

In recent years, Banksy has moved into the realm of urban intervention, including ‘street-installations’, such as his lifesize model of a Guantanamo Bay detainee that was installed at Disneyland.

The Phone Box that may or may not appear on Newcastle's Quayside appears to represent the death of the British identity, however BT released a statement following its initial emergence in Soho suggesting it was a "stunning visual comment on BT's transformation from an old-fashioned telecommunications company into a modern communications services provider."

The Spank the Monkey exhibition began across Newcastle and Gateshead at the end of September and features work by art world superstar Takashi Muramaki, Japanese graphic designers Groovisions and iconic street artist Invader.

To date there have been a number of appearances of street art across Newcastle and Gateshead, including Graffiti art at Howden Metro Station by artist Barry McGhee and at Jesmond Metro Station by Shepherd Fairey and FAILE.

The exhibition has been curated by the Baltic, in association with freelance curator Pedro Alonzo, who is currently based in San Diego. He has worked and organisaed exhibitions with artists such as Ryan Mcginness, Rivane Neuenschwander and Miguel Calderon.

So if you are out and about around Newcastle and Gateshead then perhaps it's time to pay a bit more attention to your surroundings. You never know what's going to pop up during your morning commute.

Spank the Monkey runs until January 7th.

oops the link doesn't work but you can see it on the Sunday Times web site and search for Spank the Monkey
( bit late to be reviewing it now but also deals with a newer Baltic exhibition )