Gong Xi Fa Cai Addictees!
This little piggy went to market,
This little piggy stayed home,
This little piggy had roast beef,
This little piggy had none,
And this little piggy cried "wee wee wee" have a new Addicted family member, and his name is LAKI 139 – and yes, it’s the Year of the Piggy. Oink!
LAKI 139, otherwise known as Simon Slater is an all-round creative maestro in relation to the finer points of brand development, graphic design, typographic illustration and publishing and editorial layout. He’s also a man with a signature style that has been described as “a mix of rejected, brutal, disregarded materials with the grace and finesse of calligraphy and a helping of industrial typography.”
In case you’re wondering where the name LAKI 139 comes from - it was a music gig in 1991 when he went to see one of his favourite bands, Slowdive, tour their Souvlaki album. He noticed that the tour t-shirts were printed with the term ‘SOUVLAKI 139’, signifying the 139th album on the record label – not a Greek kebab as we originally thought.
If you fancy learning more about LAKI 139 click here.
Got it? Now see it:
'Skavenger' by LAKI 139, mixed media on wooden panel, 2018
Arty-Fact: “I’m constantly looking for materials for my art – finding an old rusted sheet of metal – like a disbanded fridge door is always a good find. These materials make the basis of how I work and what it will turn into. There is so much naturally made detail, which sets off my thoughts for a new piece.” ~ LAKI 139
'Trash City' by LAKI 139, mixed media on wooden panel, 2018
Arty-Fact: In common with many of the finest graphic artists, LAKI 139’s influences are vast, and he is continually looking to fine art, photography and ceramics for fresh inspiration. His enduring love for typography, too, “clearly helps me a lot. But seeing objects in everyday life – say, a weathered sign – can spark off an idea. I’m constantly soaking up what I see.”
'Collider' by LAKI 139, mixed media on card, 2018
Arty-Fact: The impact of seeing big letters on trains or walls in different environments and surfaces married with intricate, unique, calligraphic tags” spurred on a creative career that saw LAKI 139 continually exploring and honing ways to combine all manner of seemingly tenuously connected elements.
'Bad Transmission I' by LAKI 139, mixed media on paper, 2018
Arty-Fact: LAKI 139 has cultivated a signature style that he has described as “a mix of rejected, brutal, disregarded materials with the grace and finesse of calligraphy and a helping of industrial typography.”
'Bad Transmission II' by LAKI 139, mixed media on paper, 2018
Arty-Fact: LAKI 139 has cultivated a signature style that he has described as “a mix of rejected, brutal, disregarded materials with the grace and finesse of calligraphy and a helping of industrial typography.”
'Bad Transmission III' by LAKI 139, mixed media on paper, 2018
Arty-Fact: LAKI 139 has cultivated a signature style that he has described as “a mix of rejected, brutal, disregarded materials with the grace and finesse of calligraphy and a helping of industrial typography.”
'L-AKIRA' by LAKI 139, mixed media on metal panel, 2017
Arty-Fact: The name Laki139 came from a music gig in 1991 when the artist went to see one of his favourite bands, Slowdive, tour their Souvlaki album. He noticed that the tour t-shirts were printed with the term ‘SOUVLAKI 139’, signifying the 139th album on the record label. “I liked the look of the letters in LAKI and the 139 gave it a classic New York feel, so I changed my tag to LAKI 139.” ~ LAKI 139
'Drone' by LAKI 139, mixed media on wooden panel, 2017
Arty-Fact: The process of pulling together disparate influences truly began young. LAKI 139 has reflected that as a 1970's kid, he was routinely exposed to such powerful cultural motifs as Star Wars and other science fiction, the fantasy art of Syd Mead and Boris Vallejo, comic books and horror films – all of which he has described as “a massive influence on my youth”.
'Epilogue' by LAKI 139, mixed media on wooden board, 2016
Arty-Fact: “I was always a talented artist and I got this skill off my dad. I also had skill in metalwork and woodwork at school, and my dad helped me to make various things in our shed. Creativity has always been a backbone of what I was going to do.” ~ LAKI 139
'Silver Machine 1' by LAKI 139, mixed media on metallic card, 2015
Arty-Fact: A major influence for the now Laki139, came in 1978 in the form of British artist Michael Trim’s iconic cover art for Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds – the American-born naturalised British composer’s retelling of H. G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds. “Futuristic metal aliens attacking a Victorian ship with beautiful, intricate typography for the title – I think it resonated and stayed with me with the work I do now.” ~ LAKI 139
'Silver Machine 2' by LAKI 139, mixed media on metallic card, 2015
Arty-Fact: A major influence for the now Laki139, came in 1978 in the form of British artist Michael Trim’s iconic cover art for Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds – the American-born naturalised British composer’s retelling of H. G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds. “Futuristic metal aliens attacking a Victorian ship with beautiful, intricate typography for the title – I think it resonated and stayed with me with the work I do now.” ~ LAKI 139
'Electronic Graffiti' by LAKI 139, mixed media on reclaimed metal panel, 2014
Arty-Fact: It was LAKI 139’s introduction to graffiti, that especially “blew me away.” In reference to the two books, Subway Art and Spraycan Art, that have long been regarded as integral documents of the early history of the New York City graffiti movement, he added: “Seeing the art in those two bibles, I could look at those pages for hours.”
'Untitled' by LAKI 139, mixed media on canvas, 2013
Arty-Fact: “A famous graffiti writer once said ‘style means everything’. Having a style is really important, but you have to keep it fresh and keep introducing new ideas – not just for the viewer but for the artist as well – it’s a healthy thing to do.” ~ LAKI 139
Oink-mail us if you’d like more information about LAKI 139’s work:
blair@addictedgallery.com or elena@addictedgallery.com
Don’t forget to See It On Your Wall if you want to try a LAKI 139 on for size.
May your piggy year be lucky, wealthy, honest (no Pinocchios in this group!), prosperous, peaceful, generous, indulgent, patient, reliable, trusting, sincere, giving, sociable, humourous and understanding – all the attributes of the Zodiac pig. We really want to put tasty in that line up of words too because... bacon – ahem.
Until the next one Addictees...
Image Source: Pigs Ina Poke by Duane Hammond
Blair & El xoxo