#WorldArtDay

In celebration of #WorldArtDay we couldn’t help but honour the iconic art of Denzil Forrester. Characterised by colour, movement and frenzied composition, and inspired by European abstract art he captures the raw energy of London's East End nightlife in the 1980s.

Moving from Grenada in the Caribbean to England at the age of 10, Forrester's art reflects his multicultural identity with elements of Carnival running through each work. For example, the bright colour palettes and movement relating to the rhythm of Reggae. We must not forget the other side of his work which presented the politics of race and the police brutality that remains a problem today. This artist proves you can do it all with art that commemorates those lives lost and yet, liberates for future prosperity.

Just imagine being in a nightclub and seeing someone randomly sketching on an A1 piece of paper - this was Forrester. From 40 quick sketches with each often spanning the whole length of one track he would then create around 20 paintings in his studio.

When interviewed Forrester explains that artists must find a niche that ‘turns you on’ and like many of us - for him this was going out. Looking at his art you can almost feel the vitality of the dancefloor, with the blurry photos you took the night before capturing nowhere near as much fun!

Words By: Jessica Daley