Alternative Art Showcase at 3939 Gallery

As those that attended the madness of the last, first Thursday will attest – Fashion week level queuing for Shaniqwa Jarvis  – London’s alternative art scene is currently blooming. Its real strength however isn’t barnstorming launches but, smaller off street affairs. Spaces that capture your curiosity as you walk through East London.

This sense of small scale internal support for the creative industries is something which I keep hearing about from those I encounter daily. Storm clouds may be brewing overhead but, perhaps this is the moment during the current recession when something new is fashioned. A rejection of the faux tranquillity that is thrown down our gullets by many is always welcome.

One of London’s best small spaces is 3939 the gallery x shop space beneath Old Street’s Life bar. Run by 3 proper London creative insiders, it mixes interesting and difficult to get hold of product with regular exhibitions. Their recent Beatrice Boyle show was a particular must see. Currently showcasing the poster work of Damien Poulain who has worked for everyone from Paris’ Soirée Secousse through to Adidas and exhibited worldwide. He has also recently been commissioned to create new pieces for a forthcoming exhibition on graphic design at the Graphic Design Museum of Holland.

Poulain’s work contains heavy French influences with a self depreciating British sense of humour. Bold in it’s execution with rather nice subtle details, this is given the dictionary definition graphic art at it’s best. Using acid house style photography with heavy set type, static and moving installations and painted images his art speaks to the inner streetwear kid that has grown up and decided to jump up and down on the current prevailing trends for all things heritage and fashion something regardless of the medium which speaks of their daily life.

The exhibition runs until the 11^th of June and prints are available for sale in the store and online at http://www.3939shop.com/collections/stationary-print-art/art?page=3

- Daniel Jenkins