Moniker, An Origin Story Straat Museum, Amsterdam March 10th - April 28th 2024 Curated by Tina Ziegler from Moniker.Art The subculture of urban art began on the edges of society as far back as the 1920s: fleeing the pressures of post-great-depression America, hobos took to the tracks to embrace simple freedoms, in the process creating a language of tags – or ‘Monikers’ – to communicate and keep the community connected and safe. Those themes of rebellion and fringe living have remained as the urban contemporary scene has evolved across the decades: artists operating outside of the status quo, outside of societal norms and often in protest to the injustices of modern society’s failings. In An Origins Story, we delve into the roots of the Moniker movement, tracing its origins from the humble beginnings of the hobo community in the United States to the thriving global urban art scene it is today. This exhibition invites viewers to explore the work of original Moniker artists and the community found within the subculture, shedding light on the influences and inspirations that have shaped this dynamic and expressive art form. The exhibition features a special focus on the work of the most important living artists of the genre, Russell Butler (1943) A.K.A buZ Blurr and his 30+ year friendship with artist and documentary filmmaker Bill Daniel. buZ is a visual and conceptual artist famous for his creation of the legendary Colossus of Roads railroad moniker, which he started while working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Gurdon, Arkansas and has continued for over 50 years. He calls his railroad writing “boxcar icon dispatches” and sees himself as a “life artist documenting a non-art life, employing mass media for the distribution of this documentation.” The exhibition showcases a diverse range of artwork from artists such as: 2359, Alquimia Ferrocarrilera, Bill Daniel, Coaltrain, Colossus of Roads, Ed Haskel, Fat Owl, Flangesqueal, I'm Ugly, Khaze, The Kodak Kid, Lamps, Leroy Drown, Milktooth, Mr. Bass, NY Tomato, North Bank Fred, NOVA, POOH. The Rambler, Shrug, Smokin' Joe, The Solo Artist, Stonewall Jim, Swampy, Take 5, Tex Goth, Wooden Axle, Boxo Texino, Conrail Twitty, Herby, Iowa Blackie, J.B. King Esq, Matokie Slaughter, Mud Up, Taurus, El Truncón, Water Bed Lou.

ARTS UNKNOWN is a new arts and travel documentary series spotlighting talented emerging artists from across the world. With a combined 25 years curating diverse, dynamic and thought-provoking exhibitions across the world, Tina Ziegler and Calum Hall embark on a worldwide mission to shine a light on the creative stars the world needs to know about. Tina and Calum have a shared passion to democratise the art world and create a bridge between artists and art lovers and ARTS UNKNOWN is the perfect vehicle for conversation and celebration. Creating the pilot to ARTS UNKNOWN has been an incredible experience and one that we will cherish forever. We started out with totally open minds, letting our experiences and interactions guide the narrative of the show. What we highlighted are talented creative communities trying to have their voices heard, with so many odds stacked against them. ARTS UNKNOWN is on a mission to shine a light on these creatives, providing a bridge between artists and art lovers from around the world with a focus on creative culture and new technology. This is only the beginning of an amazing journey. Ideas for future episodes: • Each episode to feature 1 location. This will ensure deeper story telling, more consistency in narrative and also the ability to explore the location in more detail • Guest presenter for each episode to be a local artist/ curator • Dedicated sound engineer • Additional camera operator for more variety of shots and better interview coverage • Episode intro to include headline info about Tina + Calum to show experience/ context • More b-roll for improved story telling + scene setting • Series roundup to feature legacy of the show. Eg artists we have supported, event/ activations we have hosted in the locations • Improved narrative arch so it’s easier for the viewer to understand the mission and the purpose. Visit us: Artsuknown.io Creativedebuts.co.uk Monikerartfair.com

Moniker Foundation has the absolute pleasure to present the ‘This Is England’ series by Matt Small - acquired through JG Contemporary. The collection is made of 27 portraits of the full England football squad and manager of the EURO 2020 team by artist Matt Small. The set of paintings depict a group of players from a diverse set of backgrounds who not only made history with their sporting achievement but who collectively inspired the country through their example of teamwork and stance on equality, inclusivity and racial injustice. Primarily a painter, London based Small has a strong, compelling style, often choosing discarded objects like car bonnets or old signs instead of canvas for his work. “The theme of my work is young, dispossessed people: individuals who feel undervalued, who don’t have a voice, who get looked over.”

Arts Unknown follows two London art curators as they travel the world to explore artists, galleries and art fairs, tapping into the creative sub cultures of London, Miami & Cape Town. The travel & arts documentary aims to spotlight the unknown artists of our generation and the difficulties many face when becoming an artist. Directed and produced by Tina Ziegler and Calum Hall Filmed & edited by Kevin Takagi Sanchez and Onkgopotse May 2022 The series is supported by Derwent, Moniker Foundation, Creative Debuts. Artsunknown.io

Moniker Culture comes together with LeedsBID and Hilton Leeds City Hotel to bring an injection of colour and happiness to the city in the form of a public art mural, headed up by the ‘pop botanical’ style of UK artist Josephine Hicks.

A group exhibition and launch event produced by Creative Debuts and hosted at the adidas London flagship on March 17th 2022. Curated by Balany Piti (Creative Debuts), Ema Marinova (Cluster), Maryam Lawal (House of African Art), Mia Maxwell (Fem Zine), Skye Kelly - Barrett (Roar Agency) and Tina Ziegler (Moniker Art Fair). MB01PXCSDUIXBRO

Using the theme, #LoveDifferent #LoveVauxhall, Vauxhall One and Moniker Culture have created a spectacular outdoor art gallery featuring the works of eleven incredible artists from mix media backgrounds on the streets of Vauxhall! Over the last few years several arches along Albert Embankment and Goding Street in Vauxhall have become vacant. The team at Vauxhall One wanted to bring life back to the streets through art, adding an injection of much needed life and joy to Vauxhall’s railway arches. Joining forces with Moniker Culture, one of the most exciting contemporary art platforms with its roots embedded in urban culture, , they put a call out across the art airwaves and chose the pieces you can see today. The chosen artists are Penfold (Tim Gresham), Luke Smile, a typographic artist, Susheel Basra graphic designer, illustrator Roxane Dewar, Italian artist and Illustrator Gianinna Delpino, botanical print designer Leila Vibert Stokes, collage designer and animator Flavia Felipe, Graphic designer Craig Yamey, Muralist, Illustrator and self-professed Doodler Luke Embden, Artist & graphic designer NERONE and finally Thomas Kirk Shannon, VAULT Creative Arts! Curated by Tina Ziegler from Moniker Culture For Vauxhall One and The Arch Co

A video interview with contemporary artist Dustin Emory from Atlanta, Georgia for the release of his new limited edition print with Moniker Editions. monikerartfair.com