Colin latter typer-graphik
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Colin Latter – Typer-Graphik at Praxis, N16

artofthestate

Typer-Graphik – show by Colin Latter at Praxis, N16

Typer Graphic show by Colin Latter at Praxis, N16
Typer Graphic show by Colin Latter at Praxis, N16

Colin Latter has been a recurring presence on the cultural radar for over forty years now. From his time in the early punk band The Epiletics, through to the seminal Anarcho Punk outfit Flux of Pink Indians and onto Flux and Hotalacio he’s always involved in something new. This time, and maybe now for a long time, he’s settled on painting and is showing his latest work in the old school art hub that is Praxis Studios in Dalston, North London.

Praxis N16 Typewriter by Colin Latter
Praxis N16 Typewriter – text on the typewriter says ‘No, I am Spartacus’. The street art depicted in the background was found outside the Praxis studio and incorporated into this oil on canvas painting.
Colin Latter
Colin Latter

Arriving on a wet and windy Saturday night it was great to see so many had braved the elements to see the show and hear Colin being interviewed by Neil Childs. We got to hear about Colin’s influences, techniques and the little details that make each painting so special. Colin has taken inspiration from the brave new world of 50’s and 60’s tech and rendered it in a series of oil paintings, some of which are painted on 1950’s vintage canvases. Record players, micro radios, transistor radios are all captured in vibrant colour with multi textured surfaces. The most common subject is the depiction of vintage Olivetti typewriters seen here in a variety of guises. Little details delight, from a safety pin signature on the more punk influenced canvases, to typed messages on the typewriter’s roller, to a nod to Jamie Reaid’s ‘Boredom’ and ‘Nowhere’ graphics and even to the international differences in the layout of keys – QZERTY anyone? No, me neither!

Future Pink Typewriter by Colin Latter
Future Pink Typewriter by Colin Latter
Colin Latter signature with a safety pin
Colin Latter signature with a safety pin which appeared on the more punky canvasses.

The conversation was free flowing and fascinating, giving an insight into how a punk mentality of DIY and just doing things with gatekeepers permission had shaped Colin’s work. We learnt that, in hindsight, Flux of Pink Indians was not a name that Colin would choose today and just how Adrian Sherwood really shaped the sound of Flux’s last album rather than it being solely down to the band. Colin also revealed copies of his latest venture, ‘Colsk’ with many stories from his life, all typed out on an old typewriter, printed, bound and containing many unique touches which makes every copy unique. Available now, along with the remaining artworks via Studio Latter.

Printronic 1960's Micro Radio - oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Printronic 1960’s Micro Radio – oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Orange Telephone, oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Orange Telephone, oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Bush Record Player, oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Bush Record Player, oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Radio On - on 1950's canvas by Colin Latter
Radio On – on 1950’s canvas by Colin Latter
Pink Calculator - Blast by Colin Latter
Pink Calculator – Blast by Colin Latter
Bush Radio, oli on canvas by Colin Latter
Bush Radio, oli on canvas by Colin Latter
Ripride on 1950's canvas - by Colin Latter
Ripride on 1950’s canvas – by Colin Latter
Ripride detail - boredom
Ripride detail – boredom
Ripride detail - nowhere
Ripride detail – nowhere
Detail from Ripride 'Oh we're so pretty, oh so pretty
Detail from Ripride ‘Oh we’re so pretty, oh so pretty
Letters 22, oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Letters 22, oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Scarlet, blue and yellow. Oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Scarlet, blue and yellow. Oil on canvas by Colin Latter
The Tube, oil on canvas by Colin Latter
The Tube, oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Colin Latter in conversation at Typer-Graphik
Colin Latter in conversation at Typer-Graphik
Spider Leg Head (revisited), oil on canvas by Colin Latter
Spider Leg Head (revisited), oil on canvas by Colin Latter

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