The installation photo above is in my previous home office. I don’t even know where to begin to explain what this wall means to me. There are life stories reflected on that wall… Ok, let me pull it together. I’ll just tell you a little bit for now... So yes, those are “my Warhols” as I love to say. His iconic Cow wallpaper from 1966. The screen prints in my collection were created for “Andy Warhol: A Retrospective” at MoMA in 1989. The edition size is formally listed as “unknown edition” and it is not signed. While not at the “I can sale this painting and buy a house” price tag, these screen prints have a solid value in the market. For my generation, pop art was somewhat ubiquitous. I can even remember in the 1980’s when Warhol’s work was sorta-kinda accessible for a person with a little bit of money. My brother lived in SOHO, NYC back in the day and many of those galleries had your Warhol’s and Lichtenstein’s laying around like candy. I vividly remember telling my brother I wanted to buy Warhol’s Judy Garland Blackglama add screen print. Yes, I have always been like this. The teenage me was like, “Hmn, I’m not sure why, but this painting needs to be in my life!” In my mind, I have been collecting Warhol since the age of 16.

And in that 1980’s SOHO which now only lives in memories and movies, teenage Nicholas walked the dogs through an art filled neighborhood where you not only saw artists in their natural element, you saw their very work in the streets on buildings and everywhere. I used to walk by Keith Haring’s Pop Shop on the regular. Who knew?! Well, he was already famous when I was a teenager but his work was not astronomical. Those walks cemented the mixture of pop and street art in my head. As a teenager, I didn’t think about building a collection. It was more about “I want that.” It’s funny now that I’m older, what that teenager desired has shown up on my walls in ways that I couldn’t imagine. When I advise people that great collections are reflections of an individual, well, this wall reflects me. It represents the past and the future. Those Warhol’s I so lovingly call mine, were given to me by my brother Marlon and his partner Toshi. They were battling AIDS when he gave me those screen prints. My memory fades on exactly what he said when he gave them to me. I just remember that he so wanted me to have them. And even though I have yet to acquire a Keith Haring, the seeds for my street art collection were inspired by a radiant world of art that was literally on the street in front of me.

The two works in the middle are by the subversively brilliant Francisco Pajaro who goes by the moniker, Art is Trash. I will do a deep dive on his work in a future newsletter, but for now please know he is a street artist based in Barcelona who has exhibited his work globally. His works are clearly a reflection of my early days and represent my current travels. Whenever I go to a new city, I seek out a gallery that is connected to the street art scene. It is a quick way to have your ear to the pulse of a city and often – but not always – the work is affordable.

Sadly, like Warhol, Haring, and that time, Toshi and Marlon have passed away. But part of my collection is a representation of their love and hopes for me. So when you visit my home and we sit down for tea underneath “my Warhols” you’ll now know just what they mean to me.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED?

Knowing that a curatorial focus of my personal collection was to add more street art I began to explore artists in the movement that I could afford and had a global audience. I wanted this part of my collection to express that bold colorful side of my personality that does not give AF… What? It’s true! So I uncovered the artist Eelus after falling in love with this screen print, Afloat on Hope. It speaks for itself does it not? Everyone who sees this work is immediately connected to the idea of sometimes you just gotta row that boat alone and have faith. This is a recuring theme in my life so I began to pine over this work. I saw it in a few auctions but didn’t bid. Until I saw it again and made a winning bid on this AP 10/10 (28x20 inch) screen print in colors on wove paper. I believe this is an edition of 90 so you will see it come up for auction frequently. I’m not really sure that having an artist proof of this work makes that much of a difference, but it makes me feel special and sometimes that is all one requires.

EELUS (b. 1979)

Eelus is a British contemporary artist whose work bridges the realms of street art and pop culture with bold, graphic compositions. Originally from Wigan, England, he moved to London in 2000 where he became immersed in the city’s vibrant street art scene. His breakout moment came with the stencil piece Shat-At, “a Star Wars-themed image of a girl walking an AT-AT,” which brought him into the orbit of street art luminaries like Banksy and led to collaborations with the famed Pictures on Walls collective¹.

He has since exhibited internationally, sharing the walls of galleries with artists such as Faile, Nick Walker, and Shepard Fairey². His work is known for juxtaposing monochromatic figures with bursts of vibrant color, often exploring “themes of duality, contrast and the human condition”³. He now lives and works in Brighton, England².

Market Potential

Eelus has cultivated a strong collector base, particularly for his limited edition prints which frequently sell out upon release⁴. His solo exhibitions—including Not Everything Is So Black & White and Trip the Light Fantastic—have received enthusiastic support from both fans and critics⁴. As interest in street and urban contemporary art grows globally, his market potential continues to rise.

Collectors appreciate his blend of accessibility and conceptual edge, and his inclusion in well-known galleries and art fairs suggests ongoing institutional support². With pieces that are both culturally resonant and visually impactful, Eelus is positioned to maintain long-term relevance in the market.

Why You Should Consider

Eelus is one of the rare artists whose work can simultaneously charm, confront, and endure. If you’re building a collection that speaks to the evolution of street art or the visual language of modern mythology, Eelus offers a compelling voice. His distinctive combination of stencil technique, color theory, and narrative symbolism makes his work a strong candidate for collectors seeking to invest in artists whose audience is growing and whose message resonates across generations.

Citations:

1. “An Interview with Eelus” – Inspiring City https://inspiringcity.com/2020/03/02/an-interview-with-brighton-based-street-artist-eelus

2. “Eelus” – Artspace https://www.artspace.com/artists/eelus

3. “Eelus” – Wood Street Walls https://www.woodstreetwalls.co.uk/eelus

4. “Eelus” – Paxton+Glew https://www.paxtonglew.com/eelus

DO CONSIDER

Recommended Books on Pop and Street Art
Delve deeper into the worlds of pop and street art with these insightful publications and platforms:

• GraffitiStreet
  A UK-based street art gallery and marketplace offering limited edition prints and original works by leading contemporary urban artists. It’s also a great resource for discovering rising talent and browsing current street art trends globally.

• Andy Warhol "Giant" Size
  This visual biography offers an in-depth look at Warhol's career, presenting over 2,000 images from archival material, documentary photography, and artwork, providing a unique perspective on his influence on pop culture.

• Pop Art
  Part of TASCHEN's Basic Art Series, this book examines the evolution of Pop Art, featuring works by artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, and discusses the movement's impact on modern society and consumer culture.

• The Wide World of Graffiti
  Alan Ket provides a comprehensive guide to the art, artists, and culture of graffiti from the 1970s to today, featuring interviews and hundreds of photographs that document the global graffiti movement.

Art Fairs and Exhibitions

• EXPO CHICAGO 2025
  Dates: April 24–27, 2025
  Location: Navy Pier's Festival Hall, Chicago
  Overview: EXPO CHICAGO is a premier contemporary and modern art fair, featuring leading galleries from around the world. The 12th edition will showcase over 170 galleries from 36 countries and 93 cities, offering a diverse range of artworks. The fair also includes a robust program of talks, on-site installations, and public art initiatives.

• Frieze New York 2025
  Dates: May 7–11, 2025
  Location: The Shed, Hudson Yards, New York
  Overview: Frieze New York returns to The Shed, showcasing over 65 of the world's leading contemporary art galleries from more than 20 countries. The fair is known for its focus on innovative and thought-provoking works, providing a platform for both established and emerging artists.

• 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair New York 2025
  Dates: May 8–11, 2025
  Location: Halo, 28 Liberty Street, New York
  Overview: 1:54 is the leading international art fair dedicated to contemporary African art. The New York edition will feature a diverse selection of galleries specializing in art from Africa and its diaspora, offering a unique opportunity to engage with this vibrant and rapidly growing market.

• TEFAF New York 2025
  Dates: May 9–13, 2025
  Location: Park Avenue Armory, New York
  Overview: The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) presents its New York edition, featuring 91 world-class dealers showcasing modern and contemporary art, jewelry, antiquities, and design. The fair is renowned for its rigorous vetting standards and exceptional quality.

Even if attending these fairs in person isn't feasible, exploring their official websites can offer valuable insights into current art trends, notable artists, and galleries. This virtual engagement can inform and inspire your collecting journey.

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