Jim Avignon

Jim Avignon is one of the most unusual figures in the contemporary German art scene. His multiple personalities painter/musician/performer/organizer/ curator forged Avignon’s very own profession, keeping him on his toes every single day. 

He currently resides in New York, but usually he is active somewhere around the world, rarely where one would assume. His painting output is very high. Jim calls himself – with a grain of salt – the ‘fastest painter in the world’ and has no problem to put together an exhibit within a matter of days. His paintings are a mash up of cartoonish figuration, expressionist composition and dominantly featured titles – always in line with the mantra “a maximum of expression with a minimum of lines.” While some of his works are already part of larger collections and museums, Avignon still prefers to exhibit in clubs, bars or on the street. In the early 1990s he provoked the elitist art market with his cheap art. Later on his live paintings in clubs pre-empted the style and attitude of street art. Wherever he shows up the laws are going topsy turvy. His art remains affordable and is meant for everyone. His paintings reflect our Zeitgeist’s fast pace. With his paintings he criticizes inequality and social injustice, not without incorporating dark humour. 

The alias Neoangin is his second identity as a musician. The form and content of his music reflects that of his paintings. A linear career is of no great importance to Jim. He is an adventurer, following first and foremost his curiosity. To him art means communication and exchange. He travels extensively and organizes events, often on is own, sometimes with the Goethe-Institut and the DAAD. 

Once a year he hosts the happening Who is Afraid of Friendly Capitalism. The idea behind this event is to bring musicians and artists from very different backgrounds together. He also curates the Blinddate Festival, where artists from two countries join forces. So far it has taken place in New York, Moscow, Athens and Sao Paulo. 

De mi barrio a tu barrio has been Jim Avignon’s biggest challenge. Not only was he co-organizer and curator, he was also painter and musician, and occasionally he had to switch from one role to another by the minute. Jim blogged about this trip in the German daily newspaper Tagesspiegel and some of the journal entries are reprinted in this book in an abbreviated version.

>> Visit Jim's Website...