EASTGALLERY is proud to present the first solo exhibition of UK artist Sichi. ‘So Long Utopia’ will feature a thematic collection of new paintings and drawings.

‘So Long Utopia’ is an energetic exhibition focusing on the theme of the lost Utopian dream. The artworks in this collection are of portraits, statements and imagined characters, where any premonition of ‘Utopia’ is quickly dispelled by the creatures inhabiting Sichi’s dystopian world.

Heavily distressed backgrounds are overlaid with stark portraits of the citizens and beings that lurk in the imagined “Utopian” territory. Sichi explains, “I see the Utopia show as a vision of the missed opportunity that society has brought upon itself. It’s socially charged, it’s not blaming anyone other than everyone. It’s saying ‘look what you missed.”

Sichi’s previous work includes a number of group exhibitions in Europe, Asia and the US and product design focussed strongly on character design, including the Buka toy released in 2007 at the Taipei Toy Festival and followed up with a special Chinese artist series which launched at the prestigious V&A Museum in London and was accompanied by a special in store display at the luxury department store Liberty. This new collection is a clear step away from the expected, and presents a darker yet more intuitive approach. This new work is a mix of Street Art styles and character design illustration. It sits more closely with his recently published work, including a collaboration with Vivienne Westwood for her Active Resistance Manifesto.

“It’s a light hearted take on an otherwise dark theme. It’s more direct in showing the situation we’re in at the moment yet also what we’ve possibly missed out on. It’s a post-apocalyptic vision of what the world would be like after Utopia has been destroyed. The back story of ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,’ is the construct of the exhibition’s speculative fictional world.

Visually, Sichi’s style is inspired by his childhood dreams, comic books and cartoons. Filled with symbols of damaged signs, broken limbs, tied ropes and military hardware - particularly the AK47 icon. “The AK47 symbol is the perfect example of resistance. That’s the most politically direct vision in this collection. The AK47 paintings are like flags to be waved at in celebration of the freedom fighters of the past.

The 20 plus paintings and drawings are displayed in the newly refurbished gallery space space situated in the heart of East London’s Brick Lane. The artist has also told us to expect a few surprises…!

‘So Long Utopia’ opens on Thursday 20th August 2009 and runs until 2nd September 2009.