The catalyst for my obsession with Brighton street art was originally artist Mazcan’s brilliant female portraits, which I hunted down in Trafalgar Lane a couple of years ago. This is an example, with clever use of the bush to give her ‘hair’.
I was therefore really excited when Maz invited me to the preview night for a new street artist exhibition in Brighton, entitled Girls Vs Boys. The night was a collaboration between four artists who are all friends on the art scene and thought it would be fun to put on a show together.
Featuring work from Fek, Rob VonGlas, MishFit and Maz, it took place in Gallery Lock In, Little Western Street in Hove.
Girls vs Boys – the idea
It was whilst sitting in Mish’s back garden that Mish, Maz and Rob came up with the idea and the title, ‘Girls vs Boys’, is just tongue in cheek as they are never actually competing with each other. To even things up they invited Fek, giving us the final foursome. As good friends, they all enjoy painting together and encourage each other’s skill when out and about. As Mish says, “working as a collective is always much more fun, you keep each other inspired and on track. It’s a great feeling.”
Mazcan
Maz would love to be a full time artist and currently funds her spray paint obsession with her job as assistant manager in a Brighton pub. She loves being out on the street, honing her skills. As she says, “it’s like having a studio and gallery in public”, something which I love as it makes street art so accessible. Her favourite piece is in the car park below My Hotel, another female portrait, this one with sunglasses.
It was a challenge for her to move to canvas for the show, as it’s on a much smaller scale than the walls around Brighton.
MishFit
Although Mish has painted big pieces around Brighton’s lanes in the past, they’ve been painted or built over now. Recently she has been concentrating more on canvases, drawing, and interior commissions, and have been working on developing her style. Her aim for next year is to get back out there and paint on the street again as she really misses it. She really want to increase her scale, so if anyone has any large walls do get in touch! Her largest piece to date is above CoApt on Lewes road.
You can see more of Mish’s work on her website here, which includes a shop and gallery.
Although Mish isn’t a full time artist it is definitely a life goal! She’s also a freelance digital designer working on branding and web-design. Plus Rob and Mish run drawing workshops, which are awesome fun for them. Check them out at drawntogether.club.
Rob VonGlas
Originally from Reading, Rob VonGlas moved to Brighton in 2011. Both living and working at an infamous bar on West Street, he found sanctuary at Req One’s Drawing club, where he met several of Brighton’s prolific street artists including MazCan.
Having recently graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in illustration, Rob reconnected with Maz and filled his summer painting. Keen not to lose creative focus, after being introduced to MishFit and Fek, it was Rob’s idea to put on a group show.
Rob pays his rent working part time at the award-winning Robin Hood pub, but fills every spare second making pictures. His favourite piece is usually the last one he painted, so at the time of writing that would be the Chun Li painted to advertise Girls V Boys (letters by Fek).
Here is Rob’s take on the infamous bush in Trafalgar Lane!
Fek
Fek used to be a graffiti artist only doing letters, but the negativity surrounding that as an artform and lack of work led him to painting murals. He met Maz in the street on a painting spree and enjoyed collaborating with her so they have been friends ever since. Fek specialises in animal paintings, an example being this eyecatching eye from Trafalgar Lane in the summer. He didn’t plan on animals being a signature thing but they give him the opportunity of practising different techniques so he’s stuck with them. He’s planning to use his new skills in the graffiti lettering too. Although he’s not a full time artist, it’s something he’s working towards, the aim being to paint murals as a job and graffiti for fun.
Girls vs Boys Street Art Exhibition
The show is in a small space just off Western Road, officially in Hove but very close to Brighton town centre and the beach. When we arrived we were offered a drink and had a lovely time chatting with the artists and viewing their work. There’s plenty of pieces for sale, from big canvasses to small greetings cards. I bought a hand-drawn Maz original for just £10, as did my friend Caroline.
I’ll just post one photo to give a flavour of what’s on show, as I want people to go down and see the work for themselves. It’s a rare chance to see street artists’ work on a smaller scale, and meet them in person.
If you fancy seeing Maz, Fek, Mish and Rob’s work yourself then the exhibition is on all weekend at the Lock In Gallery, Little Western Street, Hove, BN1 2PU.
Girls vs Boys Gallery
Thanks to Mish for the photos of her murals and Rob for the photo of the Girls vs Boys mural.
To see more of their work, here are links to the artists’ Instagram feeds :
– Mazcan
– Fek
– Mishfit
– Rob VonGlas
Stay in Brighton
Brighton is one of my favourite places in the world and if you’re planning a visit then you can grab a deal on Booking.com below.
Booking.comYou can book fun things to do in Brighton on Get Your Guide using the link below :
More about Brighton
I’ve written many articles about Brighton and they are listed below if you want to read more!
– Brighton Graffiti Tour
– Fun and quirky things to do in Brighton
– Secrets of the West Pier
– Street Art In Brighton
– My Favourite Brighton Shops
– Scooters And Street Art
– Best Paste-Up Street Art in Brighton
Do most street artists remain anonymous?
Hi, that’s a great question! It depends whether they paint legally or illegally. Legal artists are usually happy to show their faces. They paint in legal spaces and are commissioned by businesses to paint murals on walls and other places.