SAATCHI’S PRESENTS ‘DIRTY HANDS’
The artists become part of the art in a new exhibition of work by graffiti writers Mr Perso & Detch at the Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery in The Rocks, opening on July 3.
‘Dirty Hands’ will reveal how it all happens behind the canvas, from graffiti to fine arts, portraits and skateboards. New work will emerge every day from the gallery as the artists start, finish and add to the collection over the duration of the exhibition. The artists have been building the exhibition which has been three weeks in the making, and the show will continue for one week.
Saatchi & Saatchi CEO Simone Bartley said the exhibition highlighted the way in which street culture had evolved to influence mainstream art and design: “We’ve seen graffiti emerge from the streets to become a legitimate art form, influencing fashion and all forms of design,” said Ms Bartley.
“Mr Perso and Detch have successfully made that transition from street taggers to become successful and sought-after artists with an international reputation.”
‘Dirty Hands’ embraces elements of performance art combined with a touch of voyeurism as the artists at work become as much a part of the exhibition as the art itself.
Mr Perso and Detch have been painting together for more than 20 years, their inspiration the inner-city streets of Sydney.
It brought them in conflict with the law many times in their teens before they found acceptance and acclaim, and a more lucrative outlet for their work. Coca-Cola, Adidas, Hugo Boss and Lisa Ho have all featured Mr Perso and Detch’s work.
Saatchi & Saatchi is committed to supporting emerging young talent, from the New Directors’ Showcase launched each year at Cannes to Trampoline which celebrates young Australian photographers.
Mr Perso & Detch, ‘Dirty Hands’
Saatchi & Saatchi
70 George Street,The Rocks
Showing Monday to Friday 10am -6pm, July 3 – July 10
65 Comments
Cool image.
I’ve been doing graff in Aus for 15 years and I’ve never heard of them. I guess they are not real graffiti writers, just corporate ones.
Yeh, like DMOTE
If you’ve been doing graf in Aus for 15 years and have never heard of Mr Perso then you have been doing some pretty bad graf mate.
“I’ve been doing graff in Aus for 15 years and I’ve never heard of them. I guess they are not real graffiti writers, just corporate ones.”
That’s the second most pretentious thing I’ve ever read on this blog.
Advertising is graffiti.
yeah that’s right 2:17 real graff writers hang out on the campaign brief website.
I’ve been doing graff in Aus for 16 years and three weeks and I’ve never heard of 2.17.
2:17 What’s your tag then?
Scam!
Or have we stopped that one?
2:30
Anonymous
2:17
RBS! PSK! 210! bring the old skool back
I’ve been doing Stephie Graf for 17 years and she hasn’t heard of anyone.
11.10 what is the first most prententious thing! go on could do with a Friday laugh
Yawn. Advertising on the bandwagon of graffiti to gain some ‘credibility’ again.
W+K were doing this sort of thing 10 years ago.
NEXT.
Thank you 3.42. The best laugh I’ve had on this thing. Gold.
Who knows how these two graffers got hooked up with this saatchi gallery gig.
For my mind you cant go past local guys like dmote, killpixie, numskull to name a few, although they wouldnt do a show like this, just be too corperate for them and theyre on a totaly different level.
ive never heard of Mr Perso & Detch, i reckon 2:17 AM knows his shit
having a quick look through Mr Perso & Detch’s work, youll see endless biting from the likes of Mister Cartoon and mike giant.
but who am and I and 2:17 to say, everyone who shops at Ariel and buys a coffee table book on grafitti is an expert these days.
I’m a fan of DMOTE and grew up seeing his stuff on the north shore lines. But, I wouldnt say this is too corporate for him. Hes done s shit load of tees and stuff for Ksubi.
Saatchi and Saatchi are so down with it. Man this is the shit. There clients must love how down with yoof kultcha they are.
Hey Swak,
I’ve heard of Mr Perso – he wrote under Dmote. For ten years or so.
And I’ve heard of Mister Cartoon and Mike Giant. They were both in Refill magazine.
A mag I did with Luca. We even flew Mister Cartoon out here.
My point is I think 2.17 doesn’t know his shit.
I also think it’s pretty fucked to get down on two artists who are just having a show.
Mr Perso has been nuturing the Graf scene in Sydney for years. He’s talented and hard working and I don’t like you saying that he is biting other peoples styles.
We should be supporting this kind of stuff – should we not?
And Swak. I haven’t heard of you.
Nice one Nik
matty burton,
okay, clearly im not going to argue against you, i actually respect refill too much to do that. Yeh and why would you have heard of me anyway? Its an anonymous blog didnt you know?
Its just that if i see one more painted drip, or set of praying hands (usually clutching a string of rosary beads), or tatoo style script wrting, or coy fish, or typical straight lined style graf characters im gonna shoot my foot.
The thing i admire about guys like dmote, reka, kill pixie,phibs, etc is that theyve come from traditional graf backgrounds, done the hole bombing thing but have moved on, progressed, refined their styles, never compromising, never having to borrow or rely on old tricks.
I see absolutely nothing new or anything that i havent seen before looking at the two guys above.
but, youve co-created a magazine on the whole street art / contemporary design thing so obviously your opinion is king.
btw, i dont write, so have a look at what swak spells backwards, just incase you assumed that was my writing guise or something.
I don’t want to argue either – I just don’t like the amount of negativity this blog can create. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but everyone seems to take it one step further and write it down.
These guys haven’t even had the chance to show the artwork yet and people are trying to beat them down.
I just think we should be supportive of any artists that are trying to have a show. At least they are doing something. I give them all big ups.
You know, latte sunsets and the like, the blue train of positivity.
And are you pulling my pud on swak backwards? If you are – then mucho respect.
And what category will Saatchis enter this in?
“SWAK said:
matty burton,
“The thing i admire about guys like dmote, reka, kill pixie,phibs, etc is that theyve come from traditional graf backgrounds, done the hole bombing thing but have moved on,”
clearly you’re a toy qunt who has no clue, as Phibske, Detch, and Perso are from the same crew – SWB – you knob, arguably one of the best graf crews Sydney ever produced.
SWAK said:
‘The thing i admire about guys like dmote, reka, kill pixie,phibs’
Phibs, Detch and Perso are from the same crew – SWB – you toy, clearly you have no clue.
swak you really are a muppet!
big props to matty burton for shutting you down and showing you up for the toy you so obviously are
dmote, phibs and mr perso have been painting together for over a decade you gronk
see you all at the opening!
mb, u know it
yeh, end of the day, im not a fan of negeativety towards anyone on this blog.
bottom line – If my criticisms are incorrect or seem unfounded then Perso & Detch have nothing to worry about.
matty burton, you cant blame someone like me for having high standards when viewing alternative art. refill ofcourse have featured guys from futura to tilt and doze g, bigfoot, delta to m bode. The local artists i mentioned above i feel are the only guys that can stick it with the best dudes ive read about in refill – thats how i measure my barometer.
but anyways, to something more important…when the f-ck is refill releasing another issue. ive been waiting 3 years now, this is radiculous.
please can we see some of swaks and or 2;17s work??
swak = so wak
yo…this is to the haters…detchie and i started doing graffiti in 1988 when we were at PRIMARY SCHOOL..PRINS,DMOTE,SIKER, and METRO(who brought up TAVEN) schooled me,,and the things i did for fun and money would make you soil your pants..i grew up painting trains and still continue to do so,even in this almost impossible climate..over the years i have partnered wih the above listed,and also JIESK,PHIBS,SET,PUDL,and painted with the best in Australia,and the world(CAN TWO,DAIM,TASEK,SEEMSO,ETC)..i ran with RBS and ORIGINAL 210 boys almost 15 years ago..in reguards to other “writers”you “respect.”…Kill Pixie..have you ever heard of Os Gemeos?i met and painted with them in 2002.before he even picked up a paint tin…and Reka{incidentally he is a close friend,and is in a crew i started with PHIBS IN 1997,,SWB)..have you ever heard of DALEK?and PHIBS has been my brother since 1996.we just finished painting a wall in surries together less than a week ago..dont act like ya know,because i do,and you are just plain ignorant…i bet you spend your nites at china heights and oxford arts factory,licking plaguarists bums,,wearing womens jeans and a $300 flannel nightie.
We have no qualms about doing commercial art and advertising work.and have been behind some of the most succussful tvc campaigns to come from sydney,the “coke live” campaign(with resolution design)being just one,which ended up bieng ripped off by two alcohol brands and numerous television stations,of which some are still running now,,and maybe even you..goose..and have done the hard yards(literally) to get where i am now..and im willing to bet my left testie you would kill for the money i get to do something you love..Other writers ( including phib) have helped us on bigger commercial jobs and none of them ever complain about getting paid to pick up the tins……. so wheres that leave us? your point of view is juvenile and uneducated and its sad that the likes of you would consider yourself an authority on the subject — go and google either one of us since its obvious you spend most of your time on the computer you moron and do your homework. And shoot your self in the foot..no one gives a damn what you want to compare us to.Just like mike giant,reka or anyone else you can think of ,we go through phases and styles,wether its cholo style lettering or painting on chicks or whatever you can drag outta your manbag.its all fair game and done by thousands.and by many before even those you mentioned..Except you ? Im sure everyone would like to see your hadywork – Or are you just a critic? Or jealous ? or confused? schools out .
Wow, hey Lynchy could you provide translation service for the rest of us unworthy honkies?
like i said before’If my criticisms are incorrect or seem unfounded then Perso & Detch have nothing to worry about”
So why are you getting so defensive?
So what if you painted with the best artists localy and internationally, that means nothing. Alot of those guys you say youve painted with since the 80’s have progressed far beyond your technical and creative capabilities. Yet you seem to be content doing the same mediocre work. its not where you came from its where youre going.
The few names i mentioned previosuly of local artists who i admire, regardless of whether or not you painted with them, or have been in the same crews with you and are close friends, or even if they agree with my opinion or not – are in a different league to you.
Now, im judging you purely from what ive see on your website, and i just dont think that youre remotely special or interesting, your worke is a mimicry of what is already out there.
And i dont have to be some oh gee painter to know whats good, and whats bad when assessing your work.
Yeh, so you clearly cant cop criticism.
poor guy have a cry.
funniest shit to ever appear on this blog.
and probably the only time I’ll ever read “I grew up painting trains” as a self character-reference.
gold. fucking gold.
I tink 1 ov the big peeps in this heezy we done forgot iz dat gangsta who created mr perso and ditch website
word ups to tha truest from newington
Marcus Johnston
learnin’ flash like shaolin monkz gettin hype in a monastery.
LIKE THAT, UH!
pimpin that executive driver steelo say word?
This is the funniest shit ever. I love that these guys think they’re legit!! Being washed out to sea….now that was funny. Some twat with a paint can tried to “beautify” my side wall last week……now he has very busted hands and eats with a straw…..that’s funny.
eats with a straw! that would be hard — imagine cutting up a steak with a straw!
hey everybody!
Wow! Its a bit hot in here hahah– Seems there is a bit of controversy goin over this whole thing — pulling together an exhibition is always crazy but I didnt expect all this (shucks)….
All of the above comments are valid and I am a firm believer in free speech and respect of opinon – Theres tonnes of stuff out there I dont like and thats my perogative !
Putting yourself in the spotlight as an artist, holding exhibitions etc will inevitably draw both kudos and criticism – and this is very necessary to form a hub of debate in society whether its a commentry on politics, religion or subcultre – or whether it is indeed art itself …This is the mode of art in society and its good to see it alive and well.
Enough philosophy though ! At the end of the day a friend within Saatchis asked us to come down and fill up the gallery – it was a spur of the moment thing which kinda snowballed, the copywriters and other people inside the company helped pull together a pr spiel and some beer etc and at the end of the day Im very grateful for the effort – some of these guys I have never met- have put in.(BIG thanks everyone) Fun? remember that ?Thats what its supposed to be.. Any way Swak ill let you in on a secret ! Its true! I know Im not busting through any new boundrys or what have you — at the end of the day ( and I kno this may sound arrogant ) I dont really paint to please other people. If people like my paintings thats a solid bonus but painting is something I have always enjoyed and always will regaurdless. And if it makes you feel any better I been trying to get my head around oil paints and getting into new things .. Anyway whats with the self appointed vanguard of graffiti ?– I guess someones gotta do it but some of the things you have wrote are a bit confusing. Listen to Matty B – he knows what hes talking about ! Persos point was more defensive because he has been an active writer for a long time – and has helped keep the flame alive before the internet or molotov or commercial viability. older writers are proud of thier heritage, and you cant take that history away – St leonards wall, The Pocket , The infamous pool hall, zoo rattlers, does this ring any bells for you? Its cool though , like i said I believe everyone is enitled to thier opinion — and if you come to the exhibition and dont like the work then at least we got some beer ! CHEERS!
Blogs are gay!!!
my name is swak
it stands for so wak
i talk crap like a wigga
use my mouse like a trigger
six figures is what i tell the ladies i make
even got a gold lion word up it’s fake
i hit forums with my borin dribble
cos my last piece got burnt by mr squiggle
I smell Saatchi boys posing as gangsters.
I just love seeing 40+ comments about this… enjoy your success lads
oh yeah by the way I did bite Mike Giant once – on the arm!- he didnt like it much and said it hurt and could I please stop it. Then he punched me in the face.Funny as…….
Did someone in our crew do something to hurt your feelings SWAK ?? trust me I know that Amuse can be crazy,..or is my missus your ex missus that you wish was still your mrs,but you cant find the words to tell her Im cheating on her with my new missus which is your current missus ? thats alot of missusuuususususssssss hey bro .. shouldnt you be doing layouts for the new BEST & LESS catalogue or somethin? Boss is gonna be spewin at you blog boy. xxxxxxxx
Cheers mark! coming down for a beer ??
why bring me into this !!!!!!!????????- blackboard is not happy !! upside down !upside down!!!
yo swak dawg homes!!!!!!!!!! peeps be eating roasted raw beef every day and not trippin– what you on about –you dont even be comin wit no syleees ?? gotta be reprasentin homes or YOU JUST SOME GAYLORD FRONTIN? get up – get on -get to it ——- make it good MRS pedastool –you in particular only got a few shots left or nine milly gonna pop pop pop thru your chop chop chops…. ha not really but daym you look ‘tarded out there in front.. gotsta know before you throw homes ………….. bust out those KMART ads boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii — you keeps it real now y’ hear —– ha what a joke you are.
sorry forgot this one — ITS KOI spelled with a kay ohhh eyyyee fuckhead FISH YOU MORONOIC MORON OF MORONIC PROPORTIONS FROM MORON LAND – sorry swak flared up my tourettes syndrome .plus Im schizophrenic. and an insomniac. and alcoholic. SO you clearly have your work cut out for you bro// seee you around .( trust me well find you) hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahaha. CAn/,t stand hater who cant even get thier facts staight , plus M Bode ?? like hes your mate?? just cos you got a junk waffle sticker on your fridge dont mean you got carte blanche to pull rank you moron.. refill? you might have to wait for that one but hey i can hook you up with a copy of ” harden the fuck up” it comes out — every time you need a lesson dick wad.
yo leave my boys alone — they represent 9 mile nigga so back da funk up == MR P AND D ON THE REAL TIP straight outa compton aka lobsterville aks diamond plaza aka number one lamborghini place FOOL – word up BOLLYWOOD!! kick it indiaaaaaaaan style ..
that campaign brief font is rockin…… not too tatt stylez for ol swaks i hope ?lookout fellas cool police are lookin fo ya !
yo cold chicken wings and grits are wack!! but my homies detch and p dawg are like butter pudding served on a frosty beer woman like dat sun so dont hate- go and masturbate ! cant always get the gravy swakky dawg so keep trying! Im writing a song about ya — its called ” when keepin it real goes wrong” .. dave chappell stole that shit — word up
these guys are totally hot .. ! awesome!
neva seen anyone shut down so hard. suck eggs swak/
word up to MArky MArK mARCus Mak DAwg – easily the easiest mutha since easy mutha fukkkkkin E
shwizzle ma nizzle
mannn — just focus! Rock the blue steel and kee those butt cheeks tight ( might be hard for SWAK) HOLLA!
new album out on monday!! NOT co – produced by SWAk! word up streets ! micheal jackson should be posting soon…..THRILLAAAAA
Hilarious stuff. It’s great to be reminded of my linguistic, moral & intellectual superiority. There’s nothing quite like a bit of faux LA gangster / rapper trash to bring a little perspective to my humble existence.
it ain’t the saatchi boys acting all gangsta
it’s wildchild with the rhyme styles being a pranksta
love to burn swak with some local rap tactics
the guys so toy he’s probably made of plastic
what’s that swak? you got no come back!
no surprise really all you do is talk crap
sit back on the sidelines where you belong
and don’t try ripping some lyrics off hits from the bong
Was nice to see you boys. Cheers for the beer x
I wish i was there to see the show boys. your work is style and true. HeRB.
I wouldn’t balme these guys but Saatchi…are they really a Gallery? Of course not. They’re the ones with pretensions. And I bet they claim they orginated the idea of having an agency gallery.
“We’ve seen graffiti emerge from the streets to become a legitimate art form, influencing fashion and all forms of design,” said Ms Bartley.
Would you like to elaborate on this Ms Bartley? It would be great to have an extended informed comment.
nothing like a bit of controversy… i guess thats what arts about….
mr perso and detchy has been a huge influence on me personally and numerous other sydney writers over the years ( do they need to be listed?), i guess those in the know,… know! Sorry for dragging up old topics, but a little knowledge never goes astray…
What type of Graffiti font is this?
Pretentious wankers! The defensive rant from the corporatised whore is so arrogantly fevered and slavishly wanky it is hard to take seriously. I stumbled upon this page, and never would have imagined this level of ego bullshit and pretentious arrogance existed in such a seemingly humble art form as graffiti. Why don’t you guys just pull em out to see who’s is biggest? But then there’s the elbowing to the front of the “credibility” queue, the most downtrodden, struggling, fighting the man, hardcore claims of “da real deal” manliness, the battlin bro bullshit winner to be fought for. Why is the corporate dude who’s advertising mainstream style with Saatchi talking like he’s some black mofo gangsta in downtown LA hoods of crime and misery? White guys looking for authenticity copying some culture they have zero to do with is pretence beyond understanding. Good on the true ballsy commenter querying the provinence (cred) of the commercialised, self-appointed, guru-pretender sellouts. By all means, artists should make money. But don’t pretend to be from the hood, or representing the streets. Unless the hood is Mosman and the street is Vaucluse Rd.