'Missing SUM 1' By: SUM 1 (2020)

Title: 'Missing SUM 1' By: SUM 1 (2020) 
Medium: Waterbased Spraypaint & Acrylic Pens on Professional Canvas
Size: 11.7" X 16.5" on 30mm Thick Wooden Frame
Details: Signed, Dated & Numbered 1/1
Valuation: £450.00GBP
Chosen Charity: NSPCC

Piece Description:
“This original 1/1 hand painted ‘Missing SUM 1’ canvas produced during 'lockdown' is dedicated to my sister’s ‘Patricia’ and ‘Marvia’ and my brother ‘Lloyd’ (R.I.P); and to all those people around the world (regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, political views, scientific views or favourite Ice C.R.E.A.M), that are Forever Loved and Forever Missed.” 

SUM 1 (b.1970) is a Visual Artist and Creative Entrepreneur.

As a solo Artist and a member of TDK (Too Damn Kreative) ‘SUM 1’ gained exposure for his work during the late 1980’s as a Graffiti Artist, with him and other members of TDK being part of the World Graffiti Art Championships in Bridlington (1988) that was featured in a number of newspapers and magazines including Hip Hop Connection.

In February 1988 The Princes Youth Business Trust invited ‘SUM 1’ and TDK to paint a Graffiti Art painting that would be presented to ‘HRH Prince Charles’ in person during his visit to Cutlers Hall, Sheffield.  On behalf of TDK ‘SUM 1’ presented the painting to HRH Prince Charles to sign, which provoked a number of negative press reactions on a national scale.  This was the last time ‘SUM 1’ and members of TDK physically saw the painting that was dedicated to ‘Goldie’, as TDK were told that the painting had been mysteriously misplaced (stolen) by the time they had arrived to collect it the following day.

As a result of the publicised meeting between TDK and HRH Prince Charles; ‘SUM 1’ and TDK featured in BBC 1's Panorama television report on ‘HRH Prince Charles’ titled ‘Charles, Prince of Conscience’, which was a report on Prince Charles' involvement with political issues such as urban decay and youth unemployment.  Originally Broadcast 11th April 1988

Throughout the late eighties and early nineties ‘SUM 1’ and TDK painted live at a number of Graffiti Art exhibitions and demonstrations including, 1989 Hillsborough Disaster Appeal at the Nelson Mandela Building, Sheffield,  The National Arts Festival in Devon, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the University of Bristol ‘Faculty of Arts’ Conference to name a few.

On 4th February 1999 'SUM 1' featured in the 'Hugo Smith' directed ‘Graffiti Wars’ documentary broadcasted on Channel 4 (UK) television channel, which looked into the life’s of a two separate groups of Graffiti Artists', and their opposing values, artistic beliefs and infamous 1990's (pre-internet) culture clash.

In May 2016 ‘SUM 1’ was invited to collaborate in a Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals Art & Design Writers' Workshop, during which he recommended that Graffiti Art and Street Art should be included into BTEC's Higher Education (H.E) qualification; recognising that these forms have opened new areas of practice within the urban context. After the Writers' Workshop ‘SUM 1’ was commissioned to write the H.E unit that for the first time recognised Graffiti Art and Street Art as legitimate contemporary art forms. BTEC Level 5 Unit 40: Advanced Art Practice Studies includes recommended resources ‘Subway Art’ By: Henry Chalfont & Martha Cooper (1984), ‘Spraycan Art’ By: Henry Chalfont & James Prigoff (1987) and Banksy 'Wall and Piece' By: Banksy (2005) amongst others. As of September 2017 the unit is now being studied in over 70 countries around the world.

@SUM1