The anonymous pop art artist at Hyde Park

For Fringe, the faceless pop-up artists, every colour, every palette, and every immersion of style are how the artist’s creativity and works earn him his worth as an artist.

With a few boundaries, Fringe’s art is highlighted by simple beliefs and the use of what’s gorgeous now, with the hope that one can use it again tomorrow before it is not gorgeous anymore.

The artist, who prefers that his artworks speak on his behalf, said he loves art, loves painting, and loves seeing his art in homes where people have no idea who he is.

“My palette is fun and smiles, designed to make one happy every time they look at a piece of my art.”

Fringe explained that he went to an ordinary school with ordinary children and was always ushered into a life of art by his parents.

“I think it was because I was not too bright, but somehow, I worked in the banking world.

He added that today that is not the case, because, through some absurd notion, he ended up creating pop art and was drawn to it from the very first time he heard about Andy Warhol.

“What drove the nail in was when Mr. Brainwash surfaced in 2008. His Life is Beautiful exhibition presented something of a basic blueprint for me, and I came to realise that my ideas were not so stupid, and if he was brave or dumb enough to try, then I owed it to myself to do the same.”

Fringe pointed out that his work process varies from work to work, and sometimes he visualises the soft and realistic subject matter, leaning more towards the dramatic. For example, in one of his artworks, Superman is adored by his believers, or twins are standing on a haunted carpet, eyes locked.

“When I use fine oils, I often tend to take more of a precise stance when painting the works. I love working loosely on mixed media works; this allows me to express thoughts differently, and I believe wholeheartedly that every brush stroke or charcoal line is genuinely meant to be there.”

He elaborated that he is lucky to have a great team that assists him and guides his subject matter in the right direction.

“My challenge is to remain anonymous and not let the fast pace of discovery take over. I hide in the shadows for a reason, and I just need to remember that fact from time to time.”

He emphasised that his reward is to see the smiles and to experience the happiness his paintings bring to homes and lives.

“I have a show opening in the country this year and will be moving around the globe from SA to the US, Europe, and then the UAE. The overall title is Stress Narcotika. It is all about accepting and thriving.”

He concluded by stating that one can go have a feast for their eyes at the Scapegoat Gallery in Hyde Park Corner, where most of his work is displayed.

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