Matt Straub: Badlands is a solo exhibition of new paintings by Matt Straub. Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Matt Straub reveals his deep nostalgia for the American West in his work. Featured in Straub’s painting are the classic Western iconography images of cowboys, cowgirls, guns and horses.

Revert to Type is a group exhibition exploring the place of text in the work of six leading international artists – Tracey Emin, Jamie Reid, Stuart Semple, Nathan James and Hayden Kays.

Highlights include a signed autobiographical poem by Tracey Emin titled Fighting for Love, and artwork by Jamie Reid that was originally created as promotional material for Punk band The Sex Pistols.

Matt Straub: Badlands and Revert To Type will open 7 November – 7 December 2009. For more information see www.opus-art.com, or email enquiries@opus-art.com

If you could sum yourself up in one sentence what would it be.?
Probably The Best Artist In The World.

when did you decide to start making t-shirts / t-shirt slogans etc.? what was your drive behind their controversial nature.?
I began making slogan t-shirts when i realized more people don’t visit art galleries then do- it’s a very simple and effective method of getting people to see your ideas… read more

Visit www.opusunderground.com for more information of Hayden Kays and other urban artists.

“I want to spend the rest of my life mocking everywhere, with everyone, one to one, always, forever.”

Hayden Kays is the screaming voice of an angry Britain. In a world where we are spoon fed mediocrity from the media and the government, Hayden is kicking back and saying what everybody wishes they could.

For more information about Hayden Kays and other urban artists, see www.opusunderground.com

Winconek is an interesting proposition; a classically trained graffiti artist who is equally at home creating work for a gallery as he is creating pieces on the street.

When asked about his work Oliver stated “My artwork is heavily focused on the use of colour and getting back to the aesthetics of art without getting too bogged down with hidden messages, and politics.”

For more information or to buy visit www.opusunderground.com

The first collaborative prints, are available exclusively at CultureLabel.com from 16 September, are hand finished by Stuart Semple and contain a secret image which can only be seen in the dark. A super rare edition (limited to just 25) will also feature gold foil detailing.

For more information on Stuart Semple on Opus art click here >

NewcastleGateshead Art Fair is the largest commercial Art Fair in North East. Now in its third year, the Art Fair has an exciting range of Northern, National and International Galleries, selling unique artworks.

Artists we’ll be exhibiting include Karl de Vroomen, Oliver Winconek, Carolina Ambida, Chris Acheson, Pamela Raith, SheOne, Chris Kettle, CRASH and Peter Blake.

There are a limited number of invites for the Art Fair, if you’re interested in attending please email your name, telephone number and postal address to enquiries@opus-art.com

Choose from a huge range of prints across Opus Art and Opus Underground, by artists including Sir Peter Blake, Henrik Simonsen, Peter Davies, William Klein, Antony Micallef, Nathan James, Chris Kettle, Prefab, Jenn Porreca, Martin Wittfooth and many more.

Buy three prints by the same artist, or mix and match photography, contemporary and urban art – the offer applies to all prints listed on our website! Email enquiries@opus-art.com or call us on +44 (0) 191 213 0295 to place your order.

Click here to browse >>>

* Lowest priced print free, not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Static are a design collective that draw on their combined exposure to all forms of art and design, media influences, everyday life and social and environmental influences. Bringing a very graphic style to the table, they continually come back with fresh ideas and imagery.

Static specialise in limited edition prints and originals, all of which are created by hand.

For more information on Statis and other urban artists, see www.opusunderground.com

Dark Surrealism is a collection of paintings and prints by Dan Baldwin, Claudia Drake, Marie Blanco Hendrickx, Laurie Hogin, Laurie Lipton and Kirsty Whiten. Visually these artists may be working in very different styles, but they have in common a love of the surreal, macabre and fairy tale. Subjects include strange, hybrid creatures, skeletons, predatory femme fatales, top-hatted rabbits, clowns and beautifully strange dolls.

Like Alice falling down a rabbit hole, enter our fantasy world populated by peculiar and anthropomorphic creatures at the private view of Dark Surrealism, from 6pm on Friday 2 October 2009. The show runs from 3-31 October.

For more information see www.opus-art.com

For more information about Kirsty Whiten and to view more of her work see www.opusunderground.com