Reka in London “The Union Jack”

Reka is no stranger to London’s many walls and mural spots. Recently he revisited a wall in the very busy Shoreditch district that was due for a new look and a new coat of paint. The wall which he has already painted twice with the support of Montana BLACK experienced it’s third creative instalment from the artists bag of visual tricks. Intertwining a British theme, Reka aimed to incorporate fragments and elements of figures that he strategically wrapped around the surface of the building. With the color black as strong background, the artwork was complimented by cleverly by a selection colors that originated from the famous Union Jack. Again, the Montana BLACK range gave Reka the pallet he needed.

Recently, Reka has held solo shows in London, San Francisco, Denmark and Melbourne, has exhibited at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) in Bristol, as well as pieces appearing in New York, Munich, Denver and Cologne exhibitions. On the streets, his characters adorn the walls of cities around the world from Japan to Milan and Paris to Brooklyn, Montreal to Berlin. Reka’s works have recently been acquisitioned by the National Gallery of Australia for their permanent collection, cementing his place as one of Australia’s most respected contemporary street artists.

Timing is everything, even in the art world. Reka tried to connect the recent BREXIT event with the visual fragmentation of his figures, which he hoped Londoner’s could relate to as they are all now left to pick up the pieces of what was their once logical reality. Regardless if this message was lost on the viewer or not, the mural was a stunning piece that will be appreciated by all passing it’s towering presence.

About the Artist

James Reka is a young contemporary Australian artist based in Berlin, Germany. His origins lie in the alleyways and train lines of Melbourne’s inner-suburbs where he spent over a decade refining his now-emblematic aesthetic. His character work has come to represent the beginnings of a new style of street art: clean, unique and not necessarily on the street (much to his mother’s joy). Surrealist, abstracted creatures emerge from the depths of Reka’s mind, communicating through strong lines, dynamic movement and bold colors. Theses figures haunt the laneways over three continents, clambering up brick walls and giving the urban environment a literal fresh coat of paint. Their personalities mirror those of their often-decrepit metropolitan context, opening a dialogue between the viewer and their surroundings.

With influences in pop culture, cartoons and illustration, Reka’s style has become known for its fusion of high and low art. This style emerged from his Pop-Art-influenced logo design background, featuring simple but striking lines and color ways. Over time, the logos and symbols he created for clients evolved into more structured, animated forms and embraced variances of the different media he began experimenting with. These elements include murals, graphics, photography, and most recently, a move towards working with found objects, often sourced walking the train lines at night or exploring abandoned warehouses. Reka London Union Jack

More Information

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