A SELECTION of works by American-Canadian artist Richard Hambleton, titled Mr Wonderful has opened in at a new private gallery, Woodbury House in Mayfair London. Sometimes referred to as the “The Godfather of Street Art”, his early work was a series called “Mass Murder” (1976 – 1978) where he drew outlines around “homicide victims” in streets in 15 cities across Canada and the USA.
Richard Hambleton, Mr Wonderful, 1984
Hambleton was a contemporary of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat and was best known for his Shadowman images – developing his Mass Murder work – black silhouettes which he painted on the walls and streets of NYC in the 1980s. These silhouettes had the power to shock and scare the viewer.
Richard Hambleton, Jumping Shadow, 1986
Hambleton commented: “I painted the town black. They could represent watchmen or danger or the shadows of a human body after a nuclear holocaust or even my own shadow.”
Richard Hambleton and his friend Ronald Sosinski
This exhibition at the private gallery which opened last December offers a rare opportunity to view the painting Mr Wonderful, 1984, which previously has only been displayed twice before – alongside the 21 other artworks painted by Hambleton in the 1980s on show.
Richard Hambleton show in the main gallery, Woodbury House
Hambleton died in NYC in 2017 aged 65. A documentary about him, Shadowman directed by Oran Jacoby was released in the year of his death.
by Caroline Simpson
Mr Wonderful is open to the public until February 28.
Please note this exhibition is by appointment only. To make an appointment please email:gallery@woodburyhouseart.com or call: 0203 750 2222.
The show is open from:
• Monday – Thursday 10am – 6pm
• Friday 10am – 5pm
Woodbury House
29 Sackville Street
Mayfair
London
W1S 3DX