The Ernest Illm solo exhibition at Montana Store Vienna
The Montana Store Vienna is a hot spot for graffiti-orientated contemporary art. Even the non-graffiti writing community can be excused for not noticing the purpose-built full shelves of Montana Cans spray paint and Montana Cans products as the MSV in-store gallery plays host to some of the most innovative artists and artworks that exist today. The latest exhibition Ernest Illm featuring French graffiti artist Ernest was a classic example of exactly this. Contemporary, cutting-edge fine art that has its roots firmly planted in graffiti writing and the graffiti ethos. Cutting-edge fine art that has its roots firmly planted in graffiti writing
The space within the store allows not only 2D and 3D works to be displayed, but also offers wall space for the contributing artist to work with. As is tradition, a limited edition Ernest Fine-Art print was made available in-store and online, which also played as an image source for the exhibition flyer. Works on canvas, in print, and on the gallery’s wall were enough to lure any outsider into the exhibition which opened on April 30th. Ernest takes it seriously when it comes to making everything look as if they were carried out to perfection.
It’s hard to describe the work of Ernest as it cleverly investigates everything from cutting edge graffiti-style writing, graphic design, historical figure references, and typography, through to the contemporary re-invention of a type of graffiti that looks as if someone had already tried to reinvent it before him. Sound complicated? We did say it’s hard to describe and the MSV mural with its unique arrow use is an a-one example of Ernest’s skills with the Montana GOLD and BLACK cans. Ernest takes it seriously when it comes to making everything look as if they were carried out to perfection.
If you can’t get to Vienna to check out the show at the MSV, then you may as well spend some quality time with your screen here, and allow yourself to be carried away into the visual world of @Ernestillm.