Avant Arte has announced its first collaboration with Nigerian artist Olaolu Slawn. Together, they will release the first realisation of his satirical self-portrait – Ugly Bastard, 2024.
A limited edition of 100, the Ugly Bastard sculpture is cast in resin and fibreglass and created in an iridescent midnight blue colour, inspired by the colour of the Magic Eight Ball. The sculpture measures 24 cm in height, 18 cm in length, and 18 cm in width and will have an engraved signature and edition number on the bottom. It will be available for €950.00/approx. $1,020.00 exclusively on avantarte.com
Slawn is a provocative Nigerian artist known for his bold and controversial work. His career began in Lagos at the pioneering skate shop Wafflesncream and led to the co-founding of the apparel group Motherlan. During the London lockdown in 2020, Slawn transitioned to painting, with his first exhibition at Truman Brewery in 2021. In 2023 he designed the Brit Award following in the footsteps of artists and designers like Anish Kapoor, Vivienne Westwood, Tracey Emin and Es Devlin and making him the youngest and first Nigerian-born artist to design the Brit Award.
Olaolu Slawn, Ugly Bastard, 2024 from 8th August, 2024 exclusively on avantarte.com.
Available for €950.00/approx. $1,020.00
About the artist
Born in Lagos in 2000 and now based in London, Olualu Slawn’s work is deeply rooted in his Yoruba heritage and contemporary societal themes. Slawn’s artistic journey began in Lagos at Nigeria’s pioneering skate shop Wafflesncream, which led to his co-founding of the apparel group Motherlan. During the London lockdown in 2020, Slawn transitioned to painting, with his first exhibition at Truman Brewery in 2021. His work gained further recognition with his auction debut at Sotheby’s “Contemporary Curated” sale in 2022. In 2023, Slawn made history as the youngest and first Nigerian-born artist to design the statue for the Brit Awards following in the footsteps of artists and designers like Anish Kapoor,
Vivienne Westwood, Tracey Emin and Es Devlin.
