Clandestine Culture, I Came Back

Clandestine Culture
я вернулся, (I CAME BACK)
2014
Acrylic on Wood
81 x 48
Signed on verso

About This Work:

This work titled “I Came Back” or  “я вернулся” (in Russian), by Miami Street Artist CLANDESTINE CULTURE,could not be more relevant today then ever before.  “For those 25 years of age or younger, the Soviet Union symbol of the Hammer and Sickle, mean nothing.  There is an age group that has never seen that symbol, or even knew of a Soviet Union”  says the artist.

What this work represents is exactly what the artist wants that age group, 25 years or younger, to understand.  That message is that history repeats itself.  Painted in 2014, during Russia’s invasion into Crimea, and aggressive military intervention in Ukraine, this painting forewarns the world of what is to come.  Russian President Putin flexes his political muscles, and lets the world know that he, and Russia are coming back.  They are not the weakened Russia, that perhaps the world sees them as.

Fast forward to 2015, and we see President Putin is at it again, aligning himself with Syria, and positioning his stronghold in the Middle East.  Showing that Russia is still a “super power”, and standing up to America

Painted in the old Soviet Union colors of red and gold, this painting is rather simple, but very powerful in its message.  Depicting the iconic Hammer and Sickle, with star and olive branches as the main focal point, they symbol says it all. The words “I Came back” written in Russian lets us know, that this is a message about the present, and a warning about the future.  

This is exactly what street art intends to do.  Historically, street art has always contained a social, a political, and an environmental message.  The art challenges the viewer to react not only to the artwork, but to the substantive issues, and surroundings that is being discussed.  

Make no mistake, Street Art is not just pretty paintings on a wall.  That would be simply called a mural.  Street Art is much more important than that.  Street Art has substance, context, and a concept.  Whether it is Haring talking about AIDS, or Apartheid, Basquiat discussing issues of racism, drugs, and struggle of daily life, or Banksy’s witty paradoxical installations and wall drawings, Street Art has become a depiction and a reaction to the world most important issues, and struggles.  Its “in your face” style, is arguably the most reactionary art movement that the art world has yet to witness.

Never before has an art movement, been so literal, and purposeful.  Like his predecessors Haring and Basquiat, and his contemporaries Banksy and  Shepard Fairey, CLANDESTINE CULTURE focuses on the world’s issues around us, and challenges us to acknowledge, question, and react.

About The Artist:

The artist chooses to remain anonymous.  He hits the street with his face and head completely covered. He believes that the painting and the message is more important then the artist.  He uses everyday people, images and words, to show that in the end, we are all part of one world wide culture…A CLANDESTINE CULTURE

For more information and price please contact the gallery at info@gsfineart.co