Derek Hess

Jessence Limited Edition Hand Pulled 3-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "Trying to capture the essence, the inner beauty as well as the obvious. I was working with the same model as “Disposition” on this piece." - Derek Hess

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89 Days Limited Edition Hand Pulled 3-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "My model ‘Kim-Fu’ is sporting the latest in football jersey tan lines in this piece. The stadium in the background is of the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium (RIP)." - Derek Hess

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Mars Limited Edition Hand Pulled 4-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. AP Artist Proof "This piece has been added to the permanent collection of the Akron Museum of Art. Image wise I’m going for the same basic idea as the Venus print. Titled after Mars the God of war." - Derek Hess

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FA Venus Limited Edition Hand Pulled 3-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. Over the years we’ve met quite a few collectors that share the same passion for subculture and collecting. These passions culminate for us by collecting specifics artists, iconography, and imagery that shapes each of our collections. On rare occasion, we’re asked to offer vintage items on the site, and we have from time to time. Well last week profoundly changed our lives and we’re excited to share that, will you? After spending a few days learning about the stories of 1 collector that has been in the game for the past few decades we found signed prints from many of the artists that built the foundation for collecting art prints. With the likes of Bill Graham, Gary Grimshaw, Coop, Derek Hess, and beyond, stored safely in flat files, we sifted through and pulled a few hundred prints. Now that we’re back home we’re doing our best to process this collection, the grade for quality, photograph and add to the site.

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Flakpanzer Limited Edition Hand Pulled 5-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "A Flakpanzer is a German mobile anti-aircraft gun. I thought this appropriate with British Spitfires flying above the figures head." - Derek Hess Hand Deckled

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A Disposition To Ignore What Is Real Limited Edition Hand Pulled 4-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "The whole name of this piece is “A Disposition To Ignore What Is Real”, which is one definition for ‘romance’. Recognizing the red flags yet choosing not to see them." - Derek Hess

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257 Days Limited Edition Hand Pulled 3-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "My model ‘Kim-Fu’ is sporting the latest in football jersey tan lines in this piece. The stadium in the background is of the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium (RIP)." - Derek Hess

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Monkey Trick Limited Edition Hand Pulled 4-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. 2015 SIgned & Numbered Limited Edition of 200, 4 colors and the white of the paper creates the tan lines." - Derek Hess Dissecting Derek Hess's Monkey Trick Serigraph In the intricate dance of colors and lines that characterizes Derek Hess's 'Monkey Trick,' the piece stands out as a testament to the artist's prowess in merging the intensity of graffiti artwork with the finesse of modern pop art. This limited edition, hand-pulled, 4-color serigraph print on fine art paper exemplifies how street art sensibilities can be transformed into gallery-worthy pieces. Hess, an American artist from Cleveland, Ohio, is celebrated for his work, which often reflects struggle, emotion, and human complexity themes. Serigraphy: Melding Street Art with Fine Art The technique used in 'Monkey Trick' is serigraphy, which refers to traditional screen printing methods. By utilizing a mesh to transfer ink onto paper, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil, Hess showcases his distinctive style—usually seen adorning city walls and skateboards. The statement by Hess, '4 colors and the white of the paper creates the tan lines,' underlines his meticulous methodology. The limited color palette does not limit the depth of the piece; instead, it enriches it, with the white of the paper becoming an active participant in the narrative. This is particularly notable in street pop art, where the environment often contributes to the artwork, just as the paper does here. The surroundings are not mere backdrops but integral components of the art. In 'Monkey Trick,' Hess utilizes the absence of color to suggest presence, much like how the silence in a conversation can speak volumes. It reflects how graffiti artists often must use the canvas of walls, adjusting and incorporating their imperfections and textures into their work. The Visual Language of 'Monkey Trick' The subject matter of 'Monkey Trick' is quintessentially Hess—a complex human figure in repose, suggestive of vulnerability or exhaustion, with a more petite figure, which appears to be a monkey, also in a state of rest. The human figure, rendered in robust, muscular lines, is influential yet passive. The monkey, often symbolizing mischief or playfulness in art, is shown in an unusual moment of calm, mirroring its human counterpart. This duality may reflect the multifaceted nature of humans, who possess both a primal, unrefined side and a more complex emotional capacity. Using only four colors to create this piece speaks to Hess's ingenuity. It challenges the viewer to find depth and texture in limitation, a common theme in street art where artists often work with a restricted palette due to environmental and material constraints. The serigraph embraces street pop art's raw, unfiltered ethos, which thrives on minimalism and directness to convey powerful messages. The lines and tan shades in 'Monkey Trick' create a tangible texture that can almost be felt, reminiscent of the tactile nature of walls that serve as canvases in urban landscapes. The Legacy of Derek Hess and 'Monkey Trick' Derek Hess's work has been influential in bridging the often segregated worlds of street art and fine art. 'Monkey Trick' is a notable example of how graffiti's spontaneity and vivid imagery can be harmoniously blended with pop art. It also indicates Hess's ability to convey complex human emotions through simple yet compelling compositions. This serigraph adds to his legacy as a pioneer in this blended art form. It serves as a cultural artifact, capturing the essence of an era where street art is increasingly recognized as a legitimate and influential art form. Through 'Monkey Trick,' Hess contributes to the dialogue on converging street art techniques with acceptable art principles. His work resonates within the art community and beyond, attracting those who need to be more traditionally engaged with art and inviting them to explore the layered meanings behind the deceptively simple visuals. Pieces like this exemplify how modern street pop art is not just about the art itself but also about the process and the narrative it invites the viewer to partake in. Through his art, Derek Hess asks us to consider the human condition, the rawness of our existence, and the beauty found within the constraints of form and color.

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Gameface Limited Edition Hand Pulled 5-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "My model ‘Kim-Fu’ is sporting the latest in football jersey tan lines in this piece. The stadium in the background is of the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium (RIP)." - Derek Hess

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Super Predator Limited Edition Hand Pulled 8-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "Having fun with tanks and girls. The background text are the instructions to the game Risk and the type in the shadows are Penthouse letters." - Derek Hess

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Sneetch Limited Edition Hand Pulled 4-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "Inspired by Dr. Suesses’ Star Bellied Snetches, and tan lines of coarse." - Derek Hess

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Sarah SPF 25 Limited Edition Hand Pulled 3-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "First of my “Tan Line” ongoing series. One of the things I’m trying to achieve with these prints is to get the white of the paper to make the tan and the line pop.Sarah happened to be 25 years old when this was done, that’s where the “spf 25” comes from." - Derek Hess

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Presence Limited Edition Hand Pulled 4-Color Serigraph Print on Fine Art Paper by Derek Hess Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "This piece is about a “presence”, higher power, greater conscience, god, or whatever you believe it to be. The words are “presence” written in many different languages to illustrate the universal presence. No one religion has a copyright on angels, they all basically come from the same source.The white of the wings and hair are the white of the paper." - Derek Hess

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