Signed and inscribed ‘David Bonaguidi AP’ (lower left)
Screen print on archival paper
71 x 100 cm.
One of 10 artist’s proof from an edition of 125
Signed and inscribed ‘David Bonaguidi AP’ (lower left)
Screen print on archival paper
71 x 100 cm.
One of 10 artist’s proof from an edition of 125
East is Best is a screen print from Dave Buonaguidi’s London map series. Using vintage maps as the starting point for his prints, the East London artist layers on his iconic text to create a bright bold statement of the region underneath.
One of David’s most famous artworks was ‘Make tea not war - Karmarama’. This was an anti- war poster for the 2003 protest marches against the invasion of Iraq. These words were printed in bold lettering above an image of the former prime minister, Tony Blair, holding a AK-47 whilst wearing a teacup as a helmet. The image was of such historical significance that a version of this work is now part of the V&A collection in London.
So popular and beautiful are David’s artworks that last year a well known estate agent ran a series of adverts in the Financial Times bearing a striking resemblance to the type of image we see in East is Best. The artist, seeing the funny side of this, sought compensation against the firm in the form of a Nando’s voucher and volunteered on Instagram a series of other artworks the estate agent could have used in promoting their brand. Thus followed a suite of amusing imagined adverts taking the mickey out of the housing firm through a plethora of art history.
East is Best continues this creative line of provocation, although this time confronting the capitals inhabitants to challenge East London for its position as the best in the city.