This is God's Own Junkyard, or what That's Not My Age Mansions would look like if I had my own way. Chris Bracey is an artist who works with neon lights. He started out in 1970s Soho making signs for sex shops and strip clubs (maybe I need to retract that first sentence?) and moved onto creating props for films including Tim Burton's Batman, and Eye's Wide Shut, and Vogue cover shoots. Apparently, Kate Moss owns some of his work. Growing up in a seaside town with its very own version of the northern lights, the Junkyard exhibition - a combination of faded glamour and kitsch - feels like home from home to me. I was straight through those doors like a sleazeball in a sex shop. Good to see these Soho lights are still working their magic.
And as I've said before, you can take the girl out of Blackpool...
God's Own Junkyard is on at Circus, 27 Beak Street, Soho until 15 January 2013
Seeing all these lights in one place makes me realise what works of art they really are. I'll be looking at neon signs with fresh eyes from now on - love the ice cream one in the final pic:).
ReplyDeleteutterly gorgeous..........I want it all.......will get down there pronto!!
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic, I wish I could afford the Elvis one, although the Englishman might have something to say about having it in our flat…! xx
ReplyDeleteI like the classic Marilyn in the first picture.
ReplyDeleteI love some good neon. That "Crystal Pool" piece is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI'll take the Elvis sign, thank you very much -
ReplyDeleteas a Wigan girl, I remember those lights. I took my kids a couple of years ago. still as gloriously bonkers as ever! my nan used to live in sunny cleveleys - spent a lot of my holidays on trams!
ReplyDeleteThese are great. We've been thinking about getting an 'Open' neon sign for our kitchen.
ReplyDeleteAdore the ice cream cone!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post...these are great...I also like the ice cream cone!
ReplyDeleteI would love to own a piece of neon art. I also admire the neon work of American artist Bruce Nauman. Someday...
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