Blondey McCoy opens new show about self-expression

Blondey McCoy has fingers in many pies. He’s a member of the PWBC (Palace Wayward Boys Choir), got his own streetwear brand, Thames London, and “prit-sticked” his way into the London art scene.

He held his first exhibition last year – a show titled HOME IS THE HERO, which celebrated Britain’s smutty side. Just six months later, he opened his second, Thames Tits & Teeth, that paid homage to London’s West End. Now he’s back with Blondey McCoy’s Fourth Fancy, which is opening tomorrow (November 18th) at Soho’s Heni Gallery.

According to the artist, this show will explore similar things to his last and, once again, he’s using a mix of “British currency and porno”. This time, however, the exhibition centres around the idea of self-expression, “to discourage bottling things up to a breaking point, while showing exactly what it is that I personally do to avoid that.”

To create these works, the artist has used a variety of different methods. He’s also been exploring new technology, including laser printed mirrors – and he’s enjoyed the unpredictability of this experience. “You don’t know how things are going to turn out until they come back,” he says, “some are great, some are shit, which is just the way it is”. As for inspiration, McCoy says that he’s heavily influenced by pop art of the 50s and 60s. “I have always had a soft spot for commercial and ‘in your face’ work,” he explains.

What does the artist want people to come away from his new show with? “I just want it to encourage people to express themselves,” he says. “Be that through creating artwork of their own or simply being open about particular topics of conversation.” He hopes to lead by example, and says that people need to “recognise that the London’s youth are creatively active and that they have no excuse not to get creative, too”.

Blondey McCoy’s Fourth Fancy is on show at the Heni Gallery, 6-10 Lexington Street, London from November 19-27. 50 per cent of the proceeds from the show will be donated to Together for Mental Wellbeing