Cold War Steve's Work Comes To Preston

It takes real creativity to produce mass works of art inspired by recent political and current events. 

 

Artist Christopher Spencer has built an international reputation for his satirical artworks, which he began publishing on Twitter in 2016.

 

He goes under the pseudonym Cold War Steve and below is a summary of some of the work he has produced:-

Now he has seized an opportunity to capitalize on world events by creating an art exhibition which reflects the dire circumstances we’ve all been subjected to. 

 

‘You Me and Cold War Steve’ is currently on display in the windows of The Larder café on Lancaster Road, Preston. It will be exhibited for a month and it allows safe socially distanced viewing from the street. 

 

The exhibition is part of a national multi-venue program which was originally organised by the artist for April but all events were cancelled due to COVID-19 lockdown.

 

Local events promoter Garry Cook made every attempt to make sure this exhibition went ahead. He expressed his frustration about postponing the event and he is glad it as now been given the all clear, 

 

“It was hugely disappointing to have to cancel the original exhibition, which was intended to be inside The Larder. But now we’re coming out of lockdown we’ve decided to go ahead with the exhibition – but this time producing massive prints of the work and putting them in the window so they can be seen by anyone at any time of day.”

 

Cold War Steve is a very iconic artist. He derives his work from a simple template yet he  is able to create marvellous pieces of satirical amusement. His work relates to real people and the times we’re living in. It seems apt then that his work has found a temporary home at The Larder in Preston as it is central to the kind of people and ideals that the artist represents. 

 

The installation coincides with The Larder’s launch of takeaway food and drinks, which began  last  Monday 13 July. While the social enterprise cafe has been closed to the public during lockdown, staff have carried on working voluntarily, delivering essential meals to Preston’s most vulnerable people.

 

Garry relates how the community will feel an immediate connection with Christopher’s work, 

 

“These images will give you huge enjoyment, they will make you laugh and you will be staring at them for much longer than you ever thought you would stare at a photograph.”

 

You, Me & Cold War Steve – The International Exhibition of the People, is exhibiting at dozens of venues across the country simultaneously.

 

The display is believed to be one of the first art exhibitions in the country to open since lockdown.

 

^Alex Ashworth CCG Art Blogger