Slawn

Ugly Bastard

€950

Limited edition

Edition of 100

Sold out

Love this work?

Subscribe to get notified about any cancellations and early access on next releases.

Who are you calling ugly?

Slawn is best known for cartoonish artworks spray-painted on canvas and beyond. His distinctive scrawl expands into three dimensions as a limited edition sculpture. Ugly Bastard began as a satirical self portrait – equal parts irreverent and introspective. Now, he’s seeking a life of his own.

The figure is crouching – head bowed and gazed lowered like a sleek, modern gargoyle. He is painted in a hypnotic shade, carefully colour-matched to the underbelly of a Magic 8 ball. Look closely, and you’ll see your own reflection.

Interview

The good, the bad and the Ugly Bastard

"The problem is that they really want me to not like myself, and it's not possible."

Slawn

Blue sculpture being taken out of box with two hands

Red and black bike with a blue painting of two people wearing red boxing gloves next to it

Graffti of face with large teeth on white door next to a director's chair, in artist Slawn's studio

Blue sculpture of crouching person on top of spray painted Mercedes car, in artist Slawn's studio

Slawn1 collaborationSlawn and his spray paints are taking over the world. His cartoonish scrawl has covered cars, expensive watches, planes and even the FA Cup. Appropriation has a double meaning in Slawn’s work. On one level, he’s staking a claim to these luxury objects. By using these objects instead of a canvas, he inscribes his own meaning on them. More controversial is his ‘appropriation’ of racist caricatures. His black characters feature exaggerated red lips, and are often depicted naked or in voyeuristic situations – all borrowed from minstrelsy. The work titles are also just as provocative e.g. The Irony of a Nigerian Policeman (a nod to Basquiat). Slawn questions how an image is able to elicit such a negative emotional response in the first place – “I just want to get to a place where people feel comfortable with stuff that’s taboo.”

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

The best print buying experience I've had by far. Thank you for all the effort.
Review of Chromie Squiggle #8107
so surprised from the extreme professiomality and packimg
Review of Fuzz Gathering
i loved the details of the note and gloves. well done!
Review of Ringers #962: The LACMA Iterations
thank you very much. Everything was perfect. You went above my expectations (quality of packaging, frame, goodies). It was a really great experience.
Review of Chromie Squiggle #8107
The work is exceptional and looks fantastic. Thanks for doing a beautiful job executing and shipping it, very much appreciated.
Review of Actual Size
the presentation when I received this was everything and perfect. First time purchasing from AA but very impressed with all the attention to detail from the glove placement to packaging.
Review of Guardian
As a longtime buyer of prints and editions I am extremely impressed with my first Avant Arte experience. The attention to quality, detail, packaging and the customer experience are among the best Ive seen.
Review of Untitled
it was an absolute pleasure making the purchase Avant Art. Communication was great and the print arrived as specified. i would definitely recommend your company.
Review of Actual Size

Discover more sculpture editions on Avant Arte

See all

Available

Takahiro KomuroSphinx - Kira€6,500

Few left

Joakim OjanenHeartbreaker (Violet)€3,500

Draw

James JeanBlossom Vessel€1,050Closing in 00d 00h 00m

Available

Kara JoslynGOOD THING YOU ARE NOT ALONE€2,250