Curator's Picks: Whatshisname brings back our childhood

As the founder of one of the UK's most successful art publishing companies, Glyn Washington knows a thing or two about the art industry. Whether he's reporting from Washington Green Fine Art HQ or the biggest art exhibitions across the globe, each month he'll be providing an exclusive insight into the latest developments in the art world, along with behind-the-scenes updates. This month, he's sharing his expert view on the controversial Polish artist Whatshisname, whose collection is now available to pre-order. 

Riot of Liberty

Whatshisname

About the collection 

Whatshisname's new release features some of history’s best-loved characters from films, books and television, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet. The artworks have been printed in crisp detail on premium watercolour paper using the fine art giclée process, and are framed in sustainable pine and spruce.

Each of the characters reflects an important part of his childhood, whether it was the special effects of Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story inspiring him to pursue a career in 3D graphics and animation, or the affectionate sibling rivalry between Bart and Lisa Simpson echoing his own relationship with his brother. Whatshisname adds: “They taught us valuable lessons about life, love and friendship. The joy, happiness and good times we had will stay with me forever.”

The collection also boasts an innovative sculpture inspired by the Statue of Liberty, which is available in four colours and is self-assembled using magnets. Both a thought-provoking conversation piece and a symbol of the turbulent lives we live in, ‘Riot of Liberty’ draws upon the protests that took place across the USA, Hong Kong and Chile between 2019 and 2020. The pose of the Statue of Liberty is deliberately reminiscent of Banksy’s famous ‘Flower Thrower’ artwork (also known as ‘Love in the Air’), which was created in Bethlehem to advocate for peace.

Whatshisname says: “The past few years – if not the entire decade – has left us with marks of the people taking charge in the fight for their rights. The sculpture encapsulates those events and pays tribute to those who suffered, or bravely fought for what is right.”  

This innovative Statue of Liberty inspired sculpture has been created with magnets so collectors can easily assemble it. 

Internationally renowned

"We are exceptionally fortunate to work with an artist of Whatshisname’s calibre and reputation," says Glyn. "His brand carries an international footprint. Thanks to his art featuring in exhibitions and art fairs in New York, Hong Kong and Los Angeles – as well as a permanent display of his work at the Singapore Science Centre – he has amassed a global following."

A hit with collectors

Since making his debut at Castle Fine Art galleries in September 2021, Whatshisname has been a firm favourite with our collectors. Glyn adds: "Having been aware of Whatshisname’s work for so long, it seems strange to me that it’s been such a short time since he joined our ranks. But what a journey it’s been. With exclusive new releases, and selected titles from his debut collection still available in galleries, impact to date has been significant." 

Featured art (L-R) : 'Gone Mr & Mrs - Large' and 'Gone Sister & Brother - Large', £995 each. Also available as a set of four for £3,500. 

Raising money for dogs 

In 2021, four of Whatshisname’s large-scale dogs were installed at Covent Garden in central London to help raise funds for the Blue Cross pet charity. In total, we were able to raise £1,160 to help support sick, injured, abandoned and homeless pets across the UK. Glyn says: "The reaction they provoked was incredible. Social media lit up with thousands of images, the installation garnered attention from the press, and interest in his work surged. Two of these 3-metre sculptures have recently been placed into Oxford’s prestigious Westgate shopping centre, and we anticipate a continued escalation of demand for the artist."

If you'd like to help, next time you're at the centre, simply take a photograph of yourself with the dogs and upload it to social media. We will donate £1 for every post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #castle4bluecross. 

What's in store for 2022?

"The year ahead holds much in store for Whatshisname," reveals Glyn. "Perhaps most excitingly, we are working to support him with a project of unbelievable magnitude, involving a commission of his work on a monumental scale. Whilst I cannot divulge much more about this activity currently, I would urge you to watch this space and we will be sure to make our announcement as soon as we are able to share the big news with you."

"Whatshisname's ceaseless creativity and plethora of ideas for the development of his art guarantees a publishing programme sure to inspire and intrigue for the months and years ahead."

Glyn Washington

Co-founder of Washington Green Fine Art

Featured Artist

From the blog

Robert Oxley | Ensemble | 2022

17/03/2022

It’s time to pull back the curtains on the new collection by Robert Oxley. Join Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and Animal for a showstopping selection of limited edition and original artworks.

Whatshisname X Castle Fine Art

13/07/2023

Whathisname releases his hallmark balloon dogs in fabulous new finishes, plus more of his playful Jeff Balloonski Jr sculptures in four feet high versions! There are also more original pieces from his emotional Gone series.

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