We have been fans of Herbert Baglione's art since 2004 when I became aware of his work via one of his stunning screenprints titled "Natureza Morta II" which Adam Neate had picked up in Brazil from the Choque Cultural Gallery. We are delighted to see he now has a solo show opening here in London tonight at Lazarides Gallery.

For those not familiar with Baglione, here is what Laz have to say about him.

Brazilian artist Baglione is an established contemporary painter who draws on strong, simple mural designs, extreme physical figures and human and alien icons, rendered in the style of cave drawings. His style has influenced the vibrant street art movement in South America for at least ten years. His position as one of Brazil’s most distinctive artists has also cemented his international acclaim in the design and art worlds.

Jaded with the scene and what he saw around him, Baglione started experimenting with new ways to look at the street, using the extremes of urban architecture to create his paintings, provoking a new dialogue. Although his figurative subjects are ever present, his art is constantly growing and changing, relying on a strong palette. This new work work has a strong minimalism set against an elaborate calligraphy and new injection of colour.

In his new body of work comprising twenty paintings in small and large scale in acrylics, enamel and varnish, Baglione uses characters that seem to bloom and reclaim life. Textures from urban dirt and scratched out typography found in big global cities that he experimented with years ago and are now integrated with his recent work on geometric patterns, fractals, religion and erotica. Two Broken Knees marks a new phase in which the painting process has become a religious ritual in a search of faith lost in the great urban centres of the world. He uses painting, drawing and installation as new instruments, continuing to touch on subjects which he considers provoking such as death, individualism and chaos.

Two Broken Knees opens tonight with a private view and will run until the 20th December
Lazarides | 8 Greek Street | Soho | London | W1D 4DG