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Pure Evil / Charles Uzzell Edwards

Urban Art, Graffiti

January 13, 2014

Early in his career, Charles Uzzell-Edwards chose his street name Pure Evil, which perfectly describes his artistic style. Graffiti and street artist is best known for his signature Pure Evil fanged bunny rabbits. He chose this design because they are easy to draw in a hurry and in remorse for the rabbit he shot when he was young. Over the years, the artist has participated in numerous group and solo shows all around the world, including Chile, Russia, China, South Africa, Mongolia, Europe, Brazil, Hong Kong, and the USA. About his unique artistic expression, Pure Evil said:

I’m not really interested in being subtle. I want to make people look; I welcome the conflict.

Pure Evil - Elvis Presley's Barbershop Bunny Nightmare, 2017
Pure Evil - Elvis Presley's Barbershop Bunny Nightmare, 2017. Hand signed, hand embellished screen print on paper; 85 x 70 cm. Courtesy Addicted Art Gallery

California's Graffiti Scene 

Pure Evil was born in 1968 in South Wales. His most significant influence was his father, the renowned artist John Uzzell Edwards who introduced him to the world of art through his work and that of such masters as Chagall, Picasso, and Matisse. Surrounded by art books, Evil learned about cubism and minimalism.  

After receiving his diploma in graphic design and fashion, he decided to move to California, unable to resist the allure of the West Coast. The artist began working as a designer for the Anarchic Adjustment clothing label, producing countless screen-printed graphics for t-shirts. The 1990s graffiti art scene in California flourished and left a significant impact on the young artist, who eagerly awaited new works by such graffiti artists as Barry McGee, aka TWIST, and Ruby Rose Neri, aka Reminisce. Also, he worked as an electronic recording artist for Peter Namlook.

Pure Evil - Carlo Ponti's Trespassing Nightmare, 2017
Pure Evil - Carlo Ponti's Trespassing Nightmare, 2017. Hand signed, hand embellished screen print on paper; 85 x 70 cm. Courtesy Addicted Art Gallery

Pure Evil's Art 

Pure Evil returned to London after a decade of learning about California’s graffiti and skate culture. He quickly began leaving his mark all over the city, the strange fanged bunnies, which carry a complex meaning. Besides being haunted by the memories of killing the animal, it also shows he is accountable for his own actions. Evil began working with Santa’s Ghetto. Founded by Banksy, it would pop up in random locations on Christmas between 2002 and 2007. Here, the artist produced his most renowned pieces, including the famous Nightmare series. In Shoreditch, he opened Pure Evil Gallery, which showcases not only his work but the art of up-and-coming artists. For Evil, the absolute gods in the art world are Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Pablo Picasso.

Pure Evil maintains a firm belief that it is the artist’s job to observe the world around him and the political and social changes. Evil said:

I think if you can say anything, as an artist you should be saying something.

Pure Evil - Putin’s Nightmare, 2018
Pure Evil - Putin’s Nightmare, 2018. Hand signed, hand embellished screen print on paper; 85 x 70 cm. Courtesy Addicted Art Gallery

Exhibitions

The artist has participated in numerous group shows, including Winter Group Show (2022) at Vertical Gallery in Chicago, and Passion, a Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (2021) at GO Gallery in Amsterdam. Some of his solo exhibitions include Nightmares Pure Evil (2022) at Oink Gallery in Swindon, Icônes (2019) at GCA Gallery in Nice, and Charley Uzzell Edwards: Pure Evil (2018) at Cindy Lisica Gallery in Texas.

Pure Evil lives and works in London.

Featured image: Photo of Pure Evil. Copyright of the artist. 


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