Richard Hambleton: Shadowman

Commonly known as “The Godfather of Street Art” Canadian artist Richard Hambleton gained fame with his rapidly painted shadow figures which appeared overnight on the walls of buildings in New York and various cities in Europe. In a few seconds and life-size with sweeping brushstrokes in urban space. Also known as the “Shadowman”, Hambleton left behind over 400 in Manhattan alone. In 1984, Hambleton traveled to Europe five times passing through 24 major cities, including Basel, in the shadow of the night, leaving his signature figures everywhere. The reason for the trips was an invitation to participate in the 1984 Venice Biennale.

Artstübli is one of the first institutions in Europe to dedicate an exhibition to this cult figure and pioneer of urban art, proposing a selection of photographs by Vera Isler and Thomas Christ taken in Basel and New York in the early 1980s. Isler and Christ‘s photographs capture not only the shadow figures, but also the special atmosphere of the 1980s in New York and Basel.