Alec Monopoly

Alec Monopoly is an American street artist, graffiti artist, and painter. He is known for his satirical spins using the Monopoly man, in reference to contemporary styles or situations.[1][2][3]

Contents

About the artist

"Alec Monopoly" is the alias of an unidentified graffiti artist, originally from New York City. The artist primarily works in the urban environments of New York, Los Angeles, and London using varied materials (including stencils, spray paint, epoxies, varnishes and newspapers) to subversively depict the mascot of the board game, Monopoly. Monopoly cites his artistic origins as learning from his mother, an artist, eventually abandoning traditional academically-driven art classes to pursue an individual methodology. Monopoly and his work have been covered by The Huffington Post, the Wooster Collective, Juxtapoz magazine, Complex magazine, and The Dirt Floor. Recently, Paramount Pictures commissioned Monopoly to design the logo for their new production company, Insurge. Subsequently, the artist was appointed to design a custom piece of art to be displayed in the brand new and soon to be opened Kiehl's store on Manhattan's Upper East Side, along with the works of other famous street artists, such as KAWS and Shepard Fairy.

Style

In an excerpt from ‘Alec Monopoly’: Ammunition for the Guerrilla Artist, Miami-based consultant and critic Shana Beth Mason writes:

‘Alec’s’ artistic motive appears to be twofold: a direct, pointedly negative commentary on the structures he paints, and the marketing of that politic utilizing a cultural icon associated with a treasured family activity, specifically within the American collective consciousness. In a more controlled, commercial gallery setup, Alec’s work translates from an expletive gesture towards the invisible bureaucratic juggernaut into a multi-faceted array of Pop culture icons interspersed with financially-apocalyptic newspaper clippings. What separates his efforts from other high-profile graffiti artists who have effectively transitioned into the commercial art sphere (a.k.a. Banksy and Mr. Brainwash) is his tireless emphasis on the emotional experience of the American financial crisis, alongside a deeper attraction to the ‘anti-hero’ personas of Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, and Christian Bale.

Exhibitions

Alec has held several solo exhibitions not only in the US, but overseas as well. With his first solo New York City show in November of 2010, tentatively titled "Alec, Pass, Go", he has transformed from a headlining artist to carrying autonomous exhibitions that render generous crowds of street art fanatics. During Miami's Art Basel in December of 2010, Alec held a show sponsored by Svedka Vodka at the Mondrian Hotel Miami, featuring American soul singer Aloe Blacc. On May 13th 2011, LAB Art Los Angeles opened, a 6,500 square foot gallery; the largest gallery in the United States dedicated solely to street art. Drawn from the street art movement, the grand opening exhibition brought together approximately 300 works, by over 30 artists—both recognized names as well as up-and-comers. The gallery featured many works by Alec Monopoly, and continues to showcase, as well as sell his art to this day.

On the 9th of June 2011, Graffik Gallery located in London's Notting Hill, marked the artists first solo international show, titled "L.E.G.E.N.D, London Epic Graffiti Episode New Dawn". The show ran for two weeks, and showcased brand new works by the artist, including re-tailored pieces of his beloved Monopoly board game mascot "Rich Uncle Pennybags", as well as a protean allotment of eminent Pop culture figures infused with the artists traditional financially-ominous newspaper excerpts. The show also brought forth new techniques and styles by the artist, including paintings with a glow in the dark neon effect that were presented in a hallway of black light.

In Casablanca, Morocco, the art scene has been steadily growing since King Mohammed VI, an art enthusiast, began his reign in 1999. With the opening of Le Studio des Arts Vivants (the living arts studio), the first multi-discipline art space in Morocco, Casablanca is taking its place at the centre of the country’s contemporary art scene. In August 2011, in an attempt to display new inspiration from the international art world, they commissioned paintings from Alec Monopoly. His show will be presented this spring.

Popularity in Investment

In September 2011, website comparethefinancialmarkets.com featured an article illustrating counsel to those looking to invest their money, to do so in the work of Alec Monopoly. "Compare the Financial Markets" is the first website to offer all of the latest news, views, and investment deals across all of the financial markets, including property, art, wine, land, commodities, and seminars. The website had this to say about the artist:

People who live in LA are accustomed to Alec Monopoly's street art – the Monopoly Man in satirical poses. Few however, know anything about the artist behind the ingenious works. In fact, the truth is that except one or two interviewers, nobody really knows much about Alec Monopoly – as other street artists in vogue, he keeps his identity secret. Despite the fact that Alec Monopoly hasn't been around for long in the street art scene, he is regarded by many as one of the most intriguing figures, one whose progress is definitely worth tracking. If you wish to invest in Alec Monopoly please ask for Michael or Ollie at compare the financial markets.com, voted number one in Alternative Investments UK.

Aspect of Vandalism

Blog London Street Art Design had this to say about the artists international show: "Adding to the profile of such an impressive young artist is the mere fact that he is wanted by the NYPD for utilizing the urban landscape in the Big Apple and Cali as his canvas. This [London] international [show] debut will in fact be the very first time that his show will warrant an appearance by the legend himself as in the last few weeks leading up to his latest New York exhibition, uniformed and plain-clothed police officers made enquiries at the studio and gallery with intent to discover his whereabouts. That he is under surveillance may be a surprise to those unfamiliar with how the NYPD has treated artists since Giuliani introduced a "quality of life" clean streets approach in the '90's, largely kept in place by Mayor Bloomberg. Painters selling their works on the street as well as graffiti artists have been locked up, with their artwork confiscated and destroyed."

When asked by Complex Magazine about his brush with the NYPD Vandal Squad, and jumping through a garbage chute in an effort to avoid and desist them, the artist had this to say:

"It didn't hurt, but going down [the garbage chute] was kind of nasty, being in all of that garbage. I was so paranoid, I thought they were tapping my phones. I actually still think they were tapping my phones. When we were setting up the gallery show, there were like four cop cars outside the building, and if the gallery hadn't been connected to a hotel, I wouldn't have gotten out of there. I got out and into a cab and laid down in the back seat. That's the good thing about New York, once you're in a cab you can be invisible."

Although graffiti continues to be conveyed as a crime, in his feature in Juxtapoz Magazine, the artist discussed his best efforts to avoid the vandalism aspect of the street art world:

"I stay away from mailboxes, highways, freeways, and basically any federal and government property. I like warehouses and abandoned buildings. For example I would never hit a coffee shop like the one we’re in: they [the owners] are trying to make it just like I am. I try to be as positive as I can about what I put out there and I try to do it with imagery everyone can identify with. Most people walking by my stuff are not graffiti people or art people, so figuring out a way that everyone can identify with my work is important."

Comparison vs competition

"Ephman", a knowledgeable street art critic of the blog Ephman.com, compares the art of Alec Monopoly to the likes and popularity of some of the world's most famous street artists, including Banksy and Mr. Brainwash, and recognizes his name as one of New York City's most current prolific street artists.

He writes:

Ephman is a lover of art. What idiot isn't? However, street art is the most fun. On so many levels. It's temporary, so you better look now. Other artists can improve the original piece, or destroy it (sometimes that's better). There's this realness to it. Like it was put up just there to help out the environment. And the best part are for the most end, these artists don't really care about fame." "So here's a nice introduction if you don't already know of Mr. Brainwash, or ALEC, and the rest of the motley crew of NYC's street art scene." "But the bestest out of the bestest part of this medium is that you can become a part of it. Actually you are part of it, by just walking past, looking at it.

In a December 6 2010 interview with Complex Magazine, Alec was asked about famous fellow street artist and Banksy prodigy Mr. Brainwash, and his influence on him, as well as other's lack of respect for the artist. Alec had this to say:

His work can be kind of kitschy, but he's helped me a lot. He's given me really great advice. You know, he tells me to stay true to myself, and that I really need to forge my own lane in this industry.

Complex Magazine continued on to ask the artist about his iconic character: "The Monopoly Man is your iconic character. It's a similar idea with which The Made U Look Crew gained notoriety when they bombed [graffitied] eight cars of a New York R train in late 2006. How does your work tie with that?" To which the artist responded:

I've heard of The Made U Look Crew, but I'm not really influenced by them. I'm looking at the Monopoly Man in a different way. Bernie Madoff was actually my first symbol. When the recession first started, he was the icon of the economy tanking. I did a piece of him with monopoly money in the background, and I thought, why not do the Monopoly Man?

References

External links