Mead Carney Gallery is delighted to announce a one-of-a-kind exhibition by Russell Young, the first artist granted access to the art archives of the late iconic artist and actor Dennis Hopper, since his death in 2010. Young has been permitted by The Hopper Art Trust to utilize Hopper’s photography to create his own artworks. The works through colour and medium (silkscreen on felt) bring alive Hopper’s iconic images in a different light. This collaborative series of work will be presented in a special exhibition at Mead Carney Gallery, Mayfair, London, from July 24-September 20, 2014.

In Young’s exploration of Hopper’s work his focus is on a range of photographs that Hopper took of the rebellious Hells Angel’s and the different aspects of their unconventional lifestyle in 1960s California. It was through similar interests that Hopper developed a relationship with the motorcycle group over many years and captured them at a range of events such as on the Civil Rights Movement trail and rallies. It was these powerful images that inspired Young’s current series of work.

Young invites viewers to perceive these virtually extinct figures of American counter-culture, the so-called ‘renegades of the road’ in a playful, yet more contextual manner. His juxtaposition of colour and composition creates a montage of movement and energy, punctuated only by the occasional cool posturing of youth, at a time when America began to celebrate creativity along with individuality. The subjects epitomize what became a mixture of angst and freedom of expression that was being interpreted by the youth culture in various amalgamations, now more free, but a little lost as to what to do with the liberation they were activating.

The Mead Carney Gallery and Russell Young saw an affinity between Young and Hopper’s photographic interpretations. The Hopper Art Trust is honored to be collaborating with Mead Carney and to have Young as an artistic ambassador, who will carry forward the mantle of Hopper's creative legacy to a new generation of art lovers, through his vision and dedication to his craft.

Young himself met Hopper while on a film set many years ago, where they spent an afternoon musing on modern American society, photography and filmography, as well as their life philosophies. This chance meeting further links the narrative between the artists and solidifies their connection, allowing a certain distinct layering of histories and dialogue, which lay a foundation for Young’s personal interpretations of Hopper’s works.

Mead Carney is delighted that in conjunction with Young’s works there will be a carefully curated series of Limited Edition silver gelatin prints of Hopper’s photographs, that relate to the theme of Young’s Lost Angels. These works have been selected personally by Nigel Mead and the Director of The Hopper Art Trust, Taylor Livingston.