Alex King
The artist who spent nine years illustrating a Qu’ran set in modern America
Art and understanding in the face of rising Islamophobia — Los Angeles-based artist Sandow Birk reimagines historical paintings with a contemporary political critique. His latest project is a Qu’ran illustrated with images from today’s America.
Written by: Alex King
“We’re not leaving the UK, this is our home”
An afternoon in a Polish deli — Amid a spike in post-Brexit attacks on minorities across the UK, we went to a Polish deli and witnessed Polish people’s defiant reaction to racist intimidation aimed at forcing them out.
Written by: Alex King
Lessons on escapism from transformational artist Rolly Robinson
Radiate light every day — Makeup artist and master of transformation Rolly Robinson shares his inspiring outlook on life and upliftment in ‘More is More’, a beautiful short doc from director Alexis Boling.
Written by: Alex King
The young creatives building an incubator for emerging artists
A new creative community — The Palace is a festival like no other: a petri dish for emerging artists, created by artists for artists in a Polish mansion.
Written by: Alex King
Surfer Léa Brassy on her Icelandic surf and ski odyssey
Breaking the ice — Inspiring short film 'Being There’ documents surfer Léa Brassy and her polar explorer boyfriend Vincent Colliard’s joint adventure in search of far-flung, icy swell.
Written by: Alex King
Brandalism activists unveil Global Ad Hack Manifesto at Glastonbury Festival
Advertising shits in your head — Shadowy art-activists The Special Patrol Group kick off their global anti-advertising campaign at Glasto’s Shangri-La.
Written by: Alex King
The Beirut magazine keeping the flames of revolution alive
The Outpost — The defiant flames of the Arab Spring are still burning in Beirut, thanks to The Outpost: an independent magazine that believes change is always possible.
Written by: Alex King
Is the boom in slum tourism anything more than poverty porn?
Oi, gringo! — In the last few years, tourists and travellers have been poking around in slums and favelas in unprecedented numbers. Slum tourism could play a positive role in transforming marginalised communities around the globe - but only if residents have a real say, argues Fabian Frenzel, author of Slumming It.
Written by: Alex King
Activists storm Australian embassy with boat to protest 'illegal' refugee policy
Close the camps — On World Refugee Day, activists storm the Australian embassy in London with a boat to symbolise the thousands of desperate refugees turned away from Australian shores.
Written by: Alex King
Staring into the abyss with photographer Spencer Murphy
In search of isolation — Spencer Murphy’s solo show Ephemera brings together his signature barren landscapes and evocative portrait photography.
Written by: Alex King