james nudd: love the lips.

We all have our obsessions. Some of us chose to keep them on the DL (down low) while others are a bit more forthcoming. James Nudd freely admits a childhood fascination with plump, lipstick-coated mouths as the starting point for a lifelong lust for something bigger, glossier, more impactful.

“I wanted fiberglass, automotive paint, and clear coats,” the artist declares. “I wanted big, bold, colorful, glistening, exciting, mysterious, sexy lips. I wanted to do sculpture.”

And sculpt he did.

Such single minded fantasizing could be a turn-off if his sculptures had not turned out as they did: visually pleasing parodies of pouts that provoke a reaction somewhere between allure and the distaste of excess.

Such wet, glistening articulations of the oral form are all the more pleasing for their exaggeration and uniformity, as if each pair were plucked from the same pulp-novel-reading, hair-curler-sporting, red-Chevy-driving blow up doll.

James Nudd's website here.  

penique productions.

Ridiculously likeable work from Penique Productons.

This motley crew of Barcelona boys basically cart themselves around in a pick-up truck, taking over building sites with their large scale flash-mob parachutes which then inflate, suction-blanketing various interiors with a layer of super-bright colour (a bit like The Blob, actually.)

Here's what they have to say for themselves:

The projects include the creation of colored inflatable completely occupied spaces erected by others, giving them a new identity. A simplification of the space that unifies the forms and textures, creating a different atmosphere. The balloons are constructed from regular patterns and adjust to the specific characteristics of each location. It works the relationship between fullness and emptiness, creating a dialogue with the space temporarily inhabits.

Pointless you say? Nahh. These guys have pretty much proved to me that you can spend your life doing whatever the hell you want.

Website here.

nancy fouts.

Was exciting to do a little write up on Nancy Fouts today, probably my fave gal showing at last weekend's London Art Fair. Her surreal concoctions, whimsically compiled and discerningly shot, are just the kind of things that float my boat. Hurrah and huzzah! Enjoy. Now excuse me, I'm going to fly off to Slumberland on a little winged galleon...

My It's Nice That blurb here.

Nancy's website here.

guy laramee.

Guy Laramee makes sculptures out of books. Crazy sculptures. They're executed with simple tools, things you might use to carve a bit of wood, or a bar of soap. Probably a healthy dose of patience, too. Apparently you can even open them, once they're done. I was well impressed with Guy's maniacal enthusiasm for the medium and followed him up, which lead to an interview on behalf of It's Nice That. Turns out Guy is one hell of a guy. Oh dear - person, I mean. No really, he's really great.

Read the full piece here.