Sweet Revenge – Sweet Toof solo show at The Colour Works

Sweet Toof: Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge is a mini-retrospective from Sweet Toof, including a number of original, new works and pieces making their UK debut.

Sweet Toof’s influences range from Francis Bacon to Vaughn Bodé and you may know the anonymous artist for his trademark teeth and gums which resemble Pick N Mix confectionery.

He has been producing street art for several decades, whilst also furthering his career as a realist painter and sculptor.

The transience and futility communicated in the 16th century vanitas merge with the festive feel of the Mexican Day of the Dead in this new show, as Sweet Toof urges people in the borough to “get one’s teeth into things, before it’s too late”.

In an exclusive interview with the Hackney Citizen, Sweet Toof offered fittingly bite-sized responses.

HC: When and where did you first draw your signature teeth?

ST: It was around 2005, and I can’t remember where, but it was in East London.

HC: How versatile or articulate would you say they are?

ST: Teeth are versatile; they work well with collaboration pieces with other artists, from the street to the studio, and can be placed in every nook an’ cranny.

HC: How has Hackney changed over the years that you have been spraying London’s walls?

ST: Hackney has changed a great deal over the years, it has seen a lot of changes, a lot of buildings have gone but there are also a lot more new ones.

HC: To what extent is graffiti reclaiming the streets of East London?

ST: It’s a constant battle.

HC: Which other East London street artists do you respect?

ST: I respect most artists that get up at the moment, it’s a lot more on top these days. Anyone who turns my head gets my respect.

HC: What is the most powerful piece of street art you have ever seen?

ST: The work by Barry McGee & Os Gêmeos.

HC: Which piece of work, in this current collection or otherwise, holds the greatest significance for you?

ST: “Giddy Up” is an apocalyptic landscape, almost like the destruction of East London with horses of Troy.

HC: What thoughts and feelings would you like visitors to take away from this exhibition?

ST: It would be good to get some kind of response. I can’t control people’s feelings. But I’m happy to share my vision.

HC: Are teeth one of the first things you notice about people?

ST: It’s always good to see some pearly whites.

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Sweet Revenge
Saturday 11 August – Sunday 19 August 2012, free entry
The Colour Works
117 Wallis Road
Hackney E9 5LN