Anonymous pop-up artist to host Stress Narcotika show

Fringe, the anonymous pop-up artist, believes an artist’s value as an artist is derived from his originality and use of colour, palette, and style.

Fringe’s work, which has minimal restrictions, is distinguished by straightforward ideas and the utilisation of what is beautiful now in the hope it will be used again tomorrow before it becomes less beautiful.

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.

“I want people to smile every time they look at one of my paintings, so my colour scheme is joyful and cheery,” said the admired faceless pop-up artist.

Fringe clarified his parents constantly guided him towards a life of art and he attended an ordinary school with ordinary children.

“I think my parents ushered me to a life of art because I was not too bright academically, but somehow, I worked in the banking world,” he said.

He added this is no longer the case since he ended up making pop art because of an absurd notion, and he was driven to it ever since he learned about Andy Warhol.

“What drove the nail in was when Mr Brainwash surfaced in 2008, whose His Life is Beautiful exhibition presented something of a basic blueprint for me. I realised 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 said.

“I realised my ideas were not all that crazy and that if he was foolish or brave enough to try, I owed it to myself to follow in his footsteps.

After seeing the His Life is Beautiful show, Fringe noted the way he approached each piece of art differs from the last, with him occasionally visualising the delicate and realistic subject matter while gravitating more towards the dramatic.

For instance, in one of his pieces of art, twins are standing on a haunting carpet with their eyes locked, or Superman is admired by his followers.

“When painting with fine oils, I usually try to paint the pieces with more precision. I feel every brushstroke and charcoal line is authentically meant to be there, and I enjoy working loosely on mixed-media pieces because it gives me a new way to express myself,” the artist said.

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

“My task is to maintain my anonymity while resisting the quickly advancing tide of discovery. It is important for me to occasionally remind myself that I hide in the shadows for a purpose.”

He said the joy his paintings offer to people’s lives and homes was his genuine reward.

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

He said that the majority of his art is on exhibit at the Scapegoat Gallery in Hyde Park Corner, where one may enjoy a visual feast.