Gustav Klimt Resurrected In London Street Art Event

Nine well known street artists have been commissioned to produce works inspired by the Vienna Secessionist painter Gustav Klimt. The event will take place in front of a live audience in London’s Grosvenor Gardens, on Tuesday 21st August. Large, two metres squared boards will be set up the height of two double-decker buses  to accommodate the murals. Visitors will also be able to watch the artists progress on a screen.

The artists will create new works on plinths which highlight the influence of Klimt's rich heritage . This is all part of the Vienna Tourist Board’s campaign to celebrate the 150th birthday of the highly regarded Viennese artist. Inspired by Vienna’s rich cultural diversity, the unique celebration aims to showcase the city’s modern art scene and imperial background.

The completed works work will be displayed in the Lazarides Gallery in Soho as a public exhibition, ‘Klimt Illustrated’. The free live event runs from 9am to 7pm on 21st August, and the exhibition at Lazarides Gallery will be open to the general public from 24th August to 1st September, Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 7pm.

The Vienna Tourist Board has worked with the Lazarides Gallery and curator, Sydney Ogidan of BLK River, to secure the nine artists, who are: Mode 2, Lucy McLauchlan, Vhils, Ron English, Christian Eisenberger, Bastardilla, Know Hope, Marlene Hausegger. Work will also be on display from Shepard Fairey, the famous American contemporary street artist and illustrator.  Austrian DJ, DEF Mike, will also be playing in Grosvenor Gardens throughout the day.

Working outside conventional practice and the contemporary art system, Lazarides welcomes a broad audience to an extensive exhibition programme, off-site projects and online exhibitions and collectives. Lazarides supports and develops the work of a group of artists who collectively, defy categorisation.

Founded in 2006 by Steve Lazarides, Lazarides represents several successful working artists including Antony Micallef, David Choe, JR, Vhils, Faile, Jonathan Yeo, Charlie Isoe, Conor Harrington, Ian Francis, Stanley Donwood, 3D, Invader, Kelsey Brookes, Mode 2, Todd James/Reas, Blu, Paul Insect and BAST.