If you ever find yourself East London based one weekend – in the mighty Walthamstow, E17 to be specific – you could do a lot worse than visiting God’s Own Junkyard, the fascinating London base for light artist Chris Bracey. Known as the Neon Man, he has been famous for over thirty years for creating iconic art pieces and installations for a dazzling list of high-profile clients such as Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and David LaChapelle. Visiting God’s Own Junkyard itself is a feast for the visual senses – kitsch, neon signs and light sculptures adorn every wall, prop up chairs or lean gracefully against each other in blazing harmony. Also on display are old movie props, fairground and circus offcuts and architectural sign salvage.
So it is well worth a visit to his first UK solo exhibition at the very cool Scream Gallery in Fitzrovia. Chris has a huge cult following in London and LA and is famous for neonising Gotham City, creating the Metropolis in Superman and providing the amazing backdrop for Willy Wonka’s Factory for Tim Burton. He first got into the business in the 1970s when he started making signs for Soho’s seedy sex industry including the infamous GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS sign outside The Pink Pussycat Club.
Chris creates and installs instantly recognisable signs that have appeared behind some of the world’s greatest stars.When filming is over he also salvages unwanted and unloved neons and bulb icons before they disappear forever and then they are ‘repaired and resurrected, coupled with quirky art and powered up to shine like jewels of light‘. He has a number of celebrity clients including Jude Law and Kate Moss and his iconic work for popular culture includes the lightning bolt for David Bowie’s Exhibition at the V&A Museum, a neon Union Jack installation for Kate Moss in the current Rimmel London advert and an installation for Jay Z’s Roc Nation.
This exhibition brings together a selection of new works specifically dealing with themes of heaven and hell. As you approach the gallery, you’ll glimpse a window installation of a dagger smashing through the window into a neon heart.
It is difficult to escape the pull of his dazzling and phosphorescent fantasy world – where neon never dies.
NicolaG
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