Talents of Leamington’s Tinsel head to America

Social and political artist Tinsel Edwards, who has held solo shows across the UK and in Berlin and had her work bought by Banksy, is among the group of contemporary artists to display their works at the London Calling exhibition at the Orange County Centre for Contemporary Art in the US city.

A statement released by the centre about the exhibition, which takes place from Wednesday until January 12, said: “The incredibly talented artists have a wide number of achievements among them.

“Perhaps the most exciting thing about this collective is that in our climate of limited art funding, the artists have taken it upon themselves to promote and raise the profile of the London art scene overseas. They are working collaboratively to come up with creative solutions, opposing the diminution of diversity in art, and extending the reach of UK arts.”

Samir Ceric, director of London’s Debut Contemporary, which put the exhibition together, said: “I feel this is just the beginning of a very exciting project which has come out of this unique way of collaborating between Debut artists and art professionals in the industry.”

Tinsel, who grew up in Leamington but moved to London earlier this year, says she is driven by the notion that “art can change the world” and litters her artwork with action statements, personal mottos, questions and anecdotes.

Anti-establishment and influenced by punk and DIY culture, her pieces often display tongue-in-cheek humour and always stem from her honest opinions.

She said: “My work is social commentary from a personal and humble viewpoint. Fascinated by the endless possibilities of paint as a medium and a lover of typography, I use different combinations of both to explore and represent my ideas.”

To find out more about Tinsel and the Los Angeles exhibition, go online.