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

Slawn

1 collaboration

Slawn 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
Thank you so much for the communications! Very surprised with the gloves, tote, personal card note, and COA! This a gorgeous piece and like nothing I’ve ever seen! Keep pushing the boundaries on art and technology!
Review of Love Ripples
I am satisfied with the neat communication and wonderful packaging regarding the delivery of the work. Thank you.
Review of Sacred Connectedness
Great service overall, makes an easy process for buying and shipping art which is typically difficult and expensive.
Review of Guardian
This piece is lovely and out for framing. I actually want to buy another.
Review of Inner Love
Overall extremely impressed with Avant Arte, especialy with the shipping/packaging and materials included with the print. Definitely care and attention to detail not typicaly associated with art of this price-level. Thank you
Review of Untitled
this is a. very good way to make great artisrs’ work affordable. well done
Review of Women Without Men #2, 2009
Fantastic work, fantastic customer experience
Review of Lost in Time

Discover more sculpture editions on Avant Arte

See all

Available

Grant Levy-Lucerode la Rosa, Dulcería La Moderna€2,000

Available

Takahiro KomuroSphinx - Kira€6,500

Available

Larry BellLittle 3DVD€7,500

Few left

Moe NakamuraInside Us€8,500