James Dodd (aka Dlux)

Dlux, or, as he is more commonly know these days, James Dodd, was there, amongst it all, a part of the beginnings of a movement that have continued to this day. Where once street art was truly underground, it is now, in many ways, a commercial, comodifiable product – and yet artists such as Dlux have retained their ability to “keep it real” whilst navigating the many opportunities and pitfalls associated with the rise of street art as a cultural phenomenon. Although his work has evolved in many differing directions in the decade since, it still retains an element of authenticity that was, in all probability, spawned within that period of time – the rebellion, the enthusiasm and gleefully poignant philosophical elements are all critical elements of his work, and it would be hard to discern if so many of these elements would be present, if he had not been there to see it all in its rambunctious glory.