Alcohol

Aiko Aquarius Pink HPM Stencil Silkscreen Print by Lady Aiko

Aquarius- Pink Stencil 10-Color Silkscreen Limited Edition Print Art on Fine Art Paper by Artist Aiko Contemporary Pop Artwork. 2019 Signed & Numbered Hand Stenciled Limited Edition of 35 Artwork Size 20x24 "Since this project is to help people who are suffering from water in Flint, I wanted to use this image of a girl with spirit of water. Like the angel of water; she is chilling in the glass of water. Water should be free and clean for everyone, we are all part of nature. I was working on this print throughout February hand coloring one by one, and it was period of Aquarius, zodiac sign, which is the symbol of the water server. I also discovered that the word Aquarius actually referred to the public water system in ancient Rome. When I discovered what happened with the Flint Water Crisis I couldn’t believe that it was happening now, and I am very furious about how government cannot do anything with it. Shame, why people in ancient times were able to provide clean water to everyone but not in Michigan in 2018?" - Aiko Aquarius – Pink by Aiko: Spirit of Water in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork Aquarius – Pink is a 2019 hand-stenciled, multi-layered silkscreen print by Japanese-born contemporary artist Aiko, widely celebrated for her bold compositions blending femininity, rebellion, and cultural iconography. This limited edition of only 35 works is sized at 20 x 24 inches and printed on fine art paper using a combination of silkscreen techniques and hand-applied stencil coloring. Each print was uniquely touched by the artist, giving every piece an intimate sense of authorship and visual variation. The artwork was created to raise awareness and support for the Flint water crisis, linking Aiko’s vibrant aesthetic with a cause rooted in real human urgency and environmental justice. Visual Symbolism and Composition At the center of the composition is a stylized nude female figure, rendered with sharp lines and vivid color, lounging gracefully inside a glass of water. The woman wears a butterfly mask, an Aiko hallmark, symbolizing transformation and delicate strength. Her body appears relaxed, cradled by crystalline water and immersed in heart motifs and stenciled flora that float gently around her. This symbolic guardian of water evokes a divine or mythological presence, a visual nod to both natural elements and spiritual caretakers. Behind her, a large heart-shaped frame and scattered motifs recall both urban muralism and the layered complexity of traditional Japanese woodblock printing, affirming Aiko’s cross-cultural fluency. Hand-Crafted Detail and Political Resonance Each print in the edition was carefully hand-colored by Aiko over the course of February 2019. This choice was intentional, aligning the creative process with the astrological season of Aquarius, the water bearer. Aiko’s connection between ancient Rome’s aqueducts and modern water crises further reinforces the historical irony and injustice embedded in the Flint situation. She channels her rage and disbelief through the aesthetics of joy, sensuality, and beauty—a visual protest cloaked in sweetness. The layering of stenciled color, from fluorescent hearts to pastel butterflies, emphasizes the duality between artistic beauty and societal failure. Aiko’s Influence in Contemporary Graffiti and Feminist Expression Lady Aiko, also known as Aiko Nakagawa, is a globally respected figure in the Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork world. Her visual language merges influences from Japanese manga, Western pop art, feminist iconography, and urban stencil tradition. Through Aquarius – Pink, she not only reinforces her mastery of the silkscreen process but also uses her platform to speak to systemic issues. This artwork is not merely decorative—it is activist-driven, balancing delicacy with confrontation. The edition’s focus on clean water access, female empowerment, and historical reflection encapsulates Aiko’s ability to transform cultural critique into layered visual storytelling. Aquarius – Pink remains a testament to the power of art to inspire awareness and emotional connection in the face of environmental and political failure.

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$1,099.00
Ricky Powell Keith and Two Buds Archival Print by Ricky Powell

Keith and Two Buds Limited Edition Photo Archival Pigment Print on Fine Art Paper by Ricky Powell Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. 2020 Signed Numbered & Titled by Ricky Powell's Hand Limited Edition of 75 Artwork Size 20x14 Photo Archival Pigment Print. Includes COA Signed 2nd Time by Powell. "Keith and Two Buds Archival Print" by Ricky Powell is a high-quality, limited-edition photographic print. Ricky Powell (1961-2021) was a renowned American street photographer, often called the "fourth Beastie Boy" due to his close relationship with the iconic hip-hop group. Powell captured numerous iconic images of celebrities, musicians, and everyday life in New York City throughout his career. Featuring Keith Haring, a prominent American artist and social activist was well-known for his graffiti-inspired drawings and public art installations. Archival prints are produced with high-quality, acid-free materials designed to last many years without fading or deterioration. These prints are often made using fine art techniques and are produced in limited quantities to maintain their value and collectibility.

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$595.00

Alcohol Cultural Contexts and Artistic Expressions

Alcohol has been a popular subject in art for centuries, from classical still-life paintings to modern graffiti and pop art. In this essay, I will focus on how alcohol has been represented in graffiti and pop art. Graffiti art is a form of visual communication involving writing or drawing on walls or other public spaces. Graffiti artists use tools such as spray paint, markers, and stencils to create artwork. Alcohol has been a popular theme in graffiti art, especially beer and liquor advertisements. One of the most famous examples of alcohol in graffiti art is the iconic "Stella Artois" mural in Brussels, Belgium. The mural, created in 2008, features the brand's logo in a vibrant red and gold color scheme. The Stella Artois mural has become a landmark and popular tourist attraction in Brussels. Alcohol advertisements in graffiti art can also be found in urban areas worldwide. Graffiti artists use the logos and slogans of popular beer and liquor brands to create bold and colorful murals that stand out in the urban landscape. Some artists use these advertisements to critique the commercialization of alcohol and its impact on society. In addition to ads, graffiti artists also use alcohol as a subject in their artwork. Some artists use alcohol bottles and cans as a canvas, painting elaborate designs and characters on them. These painted bottles and cans are often used as props in photo shoots or gallery display pieces. Pop art is an art movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s in Britain and the United States. Popular cultural imagery and objects, such as comic books, advertising, and consumer products, characterize pop art. Alcohol has been a popular subject in pop art, particularly in the work of artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Alcohol in the Lens of Street Pop Art and Graffiti Artwork

Andy Warhol is the most famous pop artist to use alcohol as a subject in his work. Warhol created a series of silkscreen prints featuring the iconic Coca-Cola logo and the slogan "It's the real thing." Warhol also created a series of paintings featuring the Budweiser logo and the brand's signature Clydesdale horses. Another pop artist who used alcohol in his work was Roy Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein created a series of paintings that depicted scenes from bars and nightclubs, featuring characters drinking and socializing. These paintings often featured bold, comic book-style graphics and captions. Alcohol has also been a popular subject in contemporary pop art. Artists like Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons have created sculptures and installations featuring alcohol bottles and cans. These works often play with scale and materiality, creating oversized or transparent versions of familiar objects. Alcohol has been a popular subject in graffiti and pop art. Graffiti artists use alcohol advertisements and bottles as a canvas for their artwork. In contrast, pop artists like Warhol and Lichtenstein have used alcohol logos and scenes from bars and nightclubs in their paintings. Contemporary pop artists continue to explore the theme of alcohol in their work, creating sculptures and installations that play with scale and materiality. Through their art, these artists explore the role of alcohol in society and its impact on popular culture. Alcohol has long been a potent symbol in various forms of art, representing everything from celebration and festivity to despair and addiction. In street pop art and graffiti artwork, alcohol is often depicted in a way that mirrors its complex role in society. Artists take to city walls to portray bottles, glasses, and bar scenes, infusing their pieces with the same duality that alcohol embodies. These works are splashed across urban landscapes, where they stand as both a critique and an embellishment of modern life.

The Symbolism of Alcohol in Urban Art

In street art, alcohol-related imagery often serves as a tool for social commentary. Artists might juxtapose the allure of alcohol with the consequences of its abuse or use it to spotlight issues of excess and escapism in contemporary culture. The visual vocabulary of this subject is rich and varied, encompassing everything from the celebratory pop of champagne in street pop art to the gritty reality of a brown paper bag in a graffiti-scarred alley. These pieces provide a visual shorthand for complex cultural dialogues, with each artist bringing their perspective to the topic. Moreover, street art's portrayal of alcohol frequently reflects the community's pulse, capturing the celebratory aspects of drinking as well as its darker side. In some neighborhoods, murals of vibrant, lively bars might evoke the spirit of local festivities. In contrast, in others, the stark depiction of a solitary drinker might comment on isolation or social decay. This contrast is emblematic of street art's capacity to hold a mirror up to the community, reflecting its highs and lows with striking clarity.

Commercial Influence and Street Art's Response

The cultural contexts in which alcohol is presented within street art vary greatly, with the substance sometimes used to honor heritage and tradition. In specific communities, murals might incorporate alcohol to signify cultural identity, celebrating traditional brewing methods or iconic local beverages. Elsewhere, alcohol use in street pop art and graffiti can be a nod to subversion and counterculture, aligning with the disruptive nature of street art itself. The influence of commercialism on the portrayal of alcohol in street art cannot be ignored. Advertising has long utilized art to sell alcoholic products, creating a pervasive presence in urban environments. Street artists sometimes reclaim this imagery, repurposing it for their ends or critiquing the commercialization of drinking culture. This recontextualization is a powerful aspect of street pop art and graffiti artwork, allowing artists to subvert mainstream messages and engage viewers in a deeper dialogue about consumption and influence. In examining the role of alcohol in street pop art and graffiti artwork, it becomes clear that it is as much a symbol of cultural identity and social commentary as it is a subject of aesthetic interest. From celebratory representations to stark warnings, alcohol-related imagery in street art offers a nuanced exploration of its subject matter, inviting reflection on the multifaceted role that alcohol plays in society.

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Aiko Aquarius Pink HPM Stencil Silkscreen Print by Lady Aiko

Ricky Powell Keith and Two Buds Archival Print by Ricky Powell

Alcohol Cultural Contexts and Artistic Expressions

Alcohol in the Lens of Street Pop Art and Graffiti Artwork

The Symbolism of Alcohol in Urban Art

Commercial Influence and Street Art's Response