ART:

Acclaimed street artist Ron English is currently constructing a mural-filled Welcome Wall along the U.S. and Mexico border in protest of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy and wall proposal. English plans to build the 2000-foot-long physical barrier designed by a number of international artists and activists. Moreover, the Mexican government has already agreed to pay for several sections of English’s wall across the border, as per a statement sent to HYPEBEAST by the artist’s press team. Recently, he acquired permits in Brownsville as well as the land on the Mexican side to construct the wall.

Not long ago, English took to Indiegogo to raise funds to build the first section of his wall in Mission, Texas. The artist successfully raised over $20,000 USD on the crowdsourcing platform while offering original artworks as incentives for backers. One of the offers is a print entitled Mother, Should I build a wall? for $200 USD — the artwork was inspired by Pink Floyd’s The Wall album artwork (1979). Collectively, the project is a “temporary art installation to fuel the resistance against Trump’s racist monument,” as per a statement on Indiegogo. “The wall will most likely become a global tourist attraction, promoting tolerance, social and environmental justice in a way that only great art can do,” the press team added.

The artist aims for the Welcome Wall to be on view until the next presidential election on November 3, 2020. That same day, he will auction various sections with a portion of proceeds to benefit wildlife charities, indigenous communities, and non-profit organizations. Visit the Indiegogo page to learn more and stay tuned for updates.

In other politically-charged artworks, this Extinction Rebellion mural found in central London could be a new piece by Banksy.

From 1928 to 1987, Andy Warhol made a series of silkscreen prints inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s legendary Mona Lisa painting. Aptly named Double Mona Lisa, the Warhol artwork featured dual portraits of the Renaissance era piece with one of them being sold for nearly $215,000 USD at the 2002 Post-War & Contemporary Art Sale at Christie’s London. The silkscreen is now the focus of a collaborative BE@RBRICK edition between the Andy Warhol Foundation and Medicom Toy.

The 100% and 400% sized collectibles are entirely covered with a montage of the Double Mona Lisa visual alongside Andy Warhol’s signature on the back portions of the toys. Prices range between ¥12,000 JPY and ¥48,000 JPY (approx. $107 USD and $430 USD). The edition will release at Medicom Toy stockists including Rakuten this September.

Thousands of climate activists have been taking part in the Extinction Rebellion protests in central London since April 16. Those participating in the demonstrations are protesting against “climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and the risk of human extinction and ecological collapse,” as per a public statement.

This Friday, demonstrators spotted a freshly-painted mural at their base in Marble Ache that many are claiming is the work of Banksy. The artwork features the slogan “From this moment despair ends and tactics begin” beside a young girl sitting on the ground while brandishing an Extinction Rebellion logo.

Art dealer and gallerist John Brandler, who owns several pieces by the elusive British artist, strongly believes that the mural is by Banksy. “I’m convinced about the one in London for two reasons: it’s a topic that he would support, and it’s a continuation of the Port Talbot piece that appeared in December 2018,” he said to The Guardian. “The name in the corner is not important, the signature is the work. And this is a Banksy. It’s a wonderful statement and a beautiful piece.”