Rough Sleeper
Rough Sleeper
Signed Spray Paint
Stik
Price data unavailable
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
23 x 53cm, Edition of 25, Spray Paint
Medium: Spray Paint
Edition size: 25
Year: 2009
Size: H 23cm x W 53cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Spray Paint
Last Auction: March 2022
TradingFloor
Auction Results
Track auction value trend
Meaning & Analysis
Rough Sleeper is a signed spray paint produced by the renowned British graffiti artist Stik in 2009. Coming in an edition size of 25 the spray paint shows a stick figure rendered in black and white that appears to be sleeping on the floor. The figure uses its arms as a pillow, suggesting, as the title indicates, that it is sleeping rough on the streets.
Although the figure in Rough Sleeper is composed of simple, thick, black lines, the print is extremely emotive. For a long time in Stik’s career the graffiti artist was either squatting or homeless. Stik lived at St Mungo’s hostel in Hackney until 2011 and the artist has developed a tremendous affinity to the Hackney community who helped him during these vulnerable times. Stik uses his art as a way to give back to those people who helped him and the artist always strives to ask permission from those who live in the areas where he makes his street art pieces to ensure he does not occupy a space that someone in the community might own.
The figure depicted in Rough Sleeper is characteristic of Stik’s visual language. Stick figures appear throughout the artist's works and the androgynous figures have become intrinsically associated with his name. Stik started spray painting these figures on the streets of Hackney Wick in East London in the early 2000s. The artist then spread outwards into London and now paints murals all over the world.
London-based street artist, Stik, is celebrated for his distinctive and minimalistic style. By solely using simple, stick-figures, Stik is able to convey profound messages through his work and advocate for marginalised social communities. Inclusivity and resilience underpin his iconic stick-figure motif, with the likes of Liberty and Single Mum promoting empathy and human connection. Having been homeless when starting out as a graffiti artist, Stik developed an affinity to the Hackney community who helped him find his feet, and he now sees his street art as a way to give back to those who helped him.
