I sent Artist Damien Hirst a bag of Onion Rings
PLUS+ There's an open call in this one, and a free gift from Sean Bennett... Weekly Art Practice, issue 67 | The Outsider Artist known as SLART.
NEW HERE? WHAT'S THIS WEEKLY ART PRACTICE ALL ABOUT?
Every Saturday, I share my art practice. I'm captivated by the process, not just the finished pieces but everything from influences to materials. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes peek at an artist's world.
[If this masterpiece is too long for email, you can read Cream of the Crop in Substack. Or download the Substack app.]
Before we begin,
has kindly given readers of Cream of the Crop, gift vouchers for a free 1.5-hour creativity coaching session. There’s 4 availble, so please give him a shout via his website. He usually works with writers, but please reach out if it fits the bill regardless! Also, check out his new Substack.
Sean and I have a little live chat on Substack on 12th May too.
Regarding my Memento Vivere Solo Exhibition coming up, I’ve decided to donate all ticket sales/donations to Kidney Care UK, who were of great help to me when I was sick.
I’ve got the official event page up, and you can now book your tickets to Memento Vivere below.
www.cryptlondon.art
I’ve also invited celebs who’ve been affected by kidney failure to come to the opening night.
Namely…
Footballer Andy Cole had a kidney transplant.
Lucy Davis (from The Office) did too. I recently found out she’s the daughter of comedian Jasper Carrot.
Reality TV Star and personal trainer, Marilyse Corrigan (Donated a Kidney to her ex-partner). She was on the TV show Married at First Sight.
Next…I must shout out, Swindon Arts Fringe. There’s an open call going on until the end of April 2025. Check out these exhibitions to see if you’re a fit. My exhibition, for example, is showcasing local outsider artists, but there are others who are open to all artists.
As Time Goes By (Jacqueline Bardwell)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/as-time-goes-byHope Is A Thing We Build (Holly Pratt)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/hope-is-a-thing-we-buildWonderfully, Remarkably Mundane (Kate Parsons)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/wonderfully-remarkabley-mundaneMiniature Swindon (Leah Bevan-Haines)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/miniature-swindonArt B.R.U.T (SLART)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/art-brutHome (Place and Chips)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/homeSwindon Animation (Leah Panigada-Carey)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/swindon-animationAdvice for Young People (Ben Cremin)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/advice-for-young-peopleI ♥️ SOS (Michelle Whitmore)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/i-heart-sosEmotion (Charlotte Abraham)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/emotionTHE SILENT WEB - A MYCELIUM STORY (Lisa Lowe)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/the-silent-webVoices Unbound (Heather Dash)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/voices-unboundBroken Britannia ((my) sound trauma)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/broken-britanniaArt of Noise: A Symphony of Art, Inspired by Sound (Rebecca June-Edwards and DJ Dust)
🔗 https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk/art-of-noise
Next: More tinned and packaged food goods have been posted out in a desperate attempt for attention this week.
This is one of my better accompanying notes…
“I couldn't give you an onion ring on your mobile because I don't have your number. Please come to my art opening on 6th September 6-9pm at Crypt Gallery NW1 2BA. All the cool kids will be there.”
When I say better, I mean really shit. But hopefully it’ll attract his attention.
You’ll think I’m crackers for this one: I sent some delicious, salty, crunchy Ritz crackers to Artist, Heath Kane, in his Essex gallery.
The note:
Dear Heath, I enjoyed your episode on Gary M's podcast! I know I'm a bit crackers for writing to you this way. But I'd love for you to come to my art opening on 6th September in London at the Crypt Gallery. From SLART
I should have worked for The Sun Newspaper, I know.
Heath got back to me with this…
…and shared on his Insta story:
Positive, right? Fair play to him for boycotting Amazon. He’s a better man than I.
Artist Pure Evil got the same box of crackers. But now I’ve just noticed they cost 88p, but Heath’s crackers cost £1. FFS.
I sent Zandra Rhodes a tin of beans, but it’s going to take weeks to arrive. Sometimes I think, what the fuck am I doing with my life?
“Dear Zandra, I’ve bean plucking up the courage to invite you to my art opening on 6th September. Crypt Gallery. 6-9pm. See you there!? From SLART”
I’d love to know what these people think of these parcels arriving. Maybe I can pay off the Amazon driver to get me a secret reaction video, now that would be interesting to watch.
Let’s have some fun with this, give me some suggestions of food goods/pun combos with someone who you’d like me to get their attention, and I will happily send it off. Comment below.
That is all for now, take care, everyone.
Memento Vivere: Remember to Live.
Have a great Saturday.
Best wishes,
SLART.
P.S. One more thing, could you please leave a 4 or 5-star (Hopefully not 1,2 or 3) review on my SLART Google page? Just trying to level up my online game and get my art in front of more eyes, and this small, straightforward, and swift action would be immensely beneficial. Cheers!
Getting a response from the unorthodox invite is definitely a win!