Whatshisname

Be the first to see brand-new sculpture and artwork concepts from internationally acclaimed artist, Whatshisname. The exhibition is at our Birmingham - ICC gallery from 30th November, to 15th January, and Whatshisname will be making special artist appearance on the 7th December.

Featuring a cross-generational mix of iconic figures, beloved side characters and cult favourites from books, film and TV, Whatshisname has created a collection of over 20 brand-new characters in his popular Gone series, alongside a series of new sculptures. Ranging from politically charged showpieces that tread on the edge of absurdity, to a unique, hand-finished collection of his irreverent ‘balloon dogs’, this is the only chance to see all the works showcased together in one place.

With selected pieces exclusively available at this event, the artworks and sculptures featured will be extremely limited edition, so don’t miss out on your chance to see them!

Whatshisname, also known as Sebastian Burdon, is not just an artist but a visionary who skilfully blends his technical expertise with profound artistic sensibilities. His journey from graphic design to fine art has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by a fearless exploration of themes ranging from pop culture to childhood nostalgia. Whatshisname's creations are profoundly evocative, inviting viewers to delve into the depths of their own psyches. Whatshishame’s work is on permanent display at the Singapore Science Centre, and is shown at art fairs across the globe, from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, New York and London. 

March 2023 saw Whatshisname take his artwork to new heights as he launched his first exhibition into space! This interactive showcase featured a diverse selection of his boundary-pushing creations, including pieces from his Gone series. Among the stars, these captivating pieces took on a new dimension. Watch the out-of-this-world exhibition take off below!

We're thrilled to unveil four captivating additions to Whathisname’s Gone collection. Building upon the haunting beauty of his previous works, these new pieces delve deeper into the nostalgic realm of childhood heroes, inviting viewers on a poignant journey of reminiscence and introspection. The silhouetted superhero characters extend their hands from the canvas – are they saying “goodbye” or are they reminding us “we are still here, don’t forget about us”? The interpretation is left to you, inviting a personal reflection on the enduring presence of these iconic figures in our lives.

In this latest instalment, we witness the enduring presence of iconic superheroes in four mesmerising artworks.

The witty Whatshisname brings us a series of out-of-this-world sculptures of dancing spacemen in the new One Small Step collection, plus exciting new additions to the Gone Series. After sending a sculpture of a breakdancing astronaut into space last year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landings, Whatshisname brings us a new collection of dancing spaceman sculptures in the One Small Step collection. His gallery in space, the Art Above Earth exhibition, was a sensation, and the astronaut sent into space has inspired him to create even more. “I chose the topic of astronauts because of my ongoing fascination with space and the new discoveries of the James Webb space telescope,” the artist explains.

Whathisname’s sculpture release sees a new take on his signature fun-loving pooping balloon dogs, originally created as a parody of the work of artist Jeff Koons, with an incredible new work made from glass crystal. This new POPek balloon dog is just as cute and funny as his friends, but as he's made of glass crystal, he looks splendid under different lights, and will be a huge talking point in your home as you can see in the video below!

The series, inspired by the natural behaviour or real-life dogs is a favourite among collectors. Unashamedly cheeky, the pooping balloon dog has become an instant classic among Pop Art-lovers and design enthusiasts, having been featured in galleries and public installations across the UK; most recently venturing into space in Whatshisname’s first solo exhibition outside of Earth’s atmosphere.

The world of Whatshisname is both a fun and emotional one, as he mixes the light-heartedness of his balloon dogs with the wistful nostalgia of his Gone series of favourite childhood characters.

Whatshisname created his iconic Gone series after dreaming about a figure from his childhood. “They only appeared as a faded silhouette,” he remembers. “It felt like meeting with an old family member or a good friend who l hadn't see in a very long time. After waking up I could still remember the feeling but I couldn't remember who the person was, only a shadowy outline which could have been anyone”.

The extended hands of the characters stuck to the face of the canvases remind us about the presence of these characters. Are they saying goodbye while fading from our memories as we focus our attention elsewhere in adult lives? Or are they saying: “We are still here, don’t forget about us!” as they fade into the past? It’s up to the viewer to decide what their childhood heroes are saying to them. “I created this series of work to acknowledge the influence of our childhood on our future selves,” says Whatshisname.

“It’s a tribute to a happy childhood and to a feeling of nostalgia. Many of us hold on to something special and meaningful that we grew out of but still remember fondly. The Gone series is exactly that – it’s aimed at adults, not kids”.

Originally created as a parody of Jeff Koons’ signature balloon dogs – which have sold for up to $58.4 million at auction – this series is inspired by the behaviour of real-life dogs, including a German Shepherd and Yorkshire Terrier from Sebastian’s childhood, and the puppy he owns now. The name is split into two parts: the ‘Pop’ refers to Pop Art and the sound that a real balloon would make, while the ‘ek’ is taken from a nickname of Sebastian’s high school friend. He adds: "While some artists approach the subject from the perspective of a toy or a balloon dog being supersized, I create my sculptures with the narrative of a balloon dog becoming a real dog."

The new collection follows the success of Sebastian's debut release, and saw the London-based artist explore some of history's best-loved cartoon characters. The creations of famed animation artists and studios like MGM, Disney and Pixar are shown in an entirely new light; his monochromatic silhouettes are unsettling yet beautiful, with an ethereal, dreamlike aesthetic created through the graduation of shadows. In complete contrast, his balloon dogs are vibrant and playful, with the hand-sprayed resin sculptures boasting a glossy finish for a contemporary Pop Art look. Mix with a minimalist décor to add a splash of colour, or combine with your own nostalgic items for a style statement - there are no rules!