Unraveling the Canvas: Meet Fin DAC, the Mural Maestro
What do a hospital in London, a gigantic wall in Guadalajara, and a hotel in Dublin have in common? Well, apart from providing impeccable service and possibly questionable room service, they’ve all served as the canvas for Fin DAC, the Cork-born street artist who’s taking the world of art by storm!
Let’s cut to the chase here: he’s not just any wall-scribbler. This chap has his eyes set on the upper crust of the art world—so much so, that a UK tabloid dared to slap the label “the Irish Banksy” on him. A title he absolutely rolls his eyes at, likely while painting a mural of some unsuspecting passerby caught in a mid-sneeze.
A Rising Star in the Art Firmament
For the past decade, Fin DAC has been on a trajectory that would make a SpaceX rocket feel inadequate. He’s even convinced a fair few celebs to join his fan club—Idris Elba and rapper Goldie among them. Not to brag, but a recent work of his fetched a staggering £50,800 at Sotheby’s—yes, I know, that’s more than my flat would fetch on a good day!
And where can you find this guy’s masterpieces, you ask? Oh, just the usual global hotspots—Cambodia, San Francisco, and a massive tribute to Frida Kahlo right in Guadalajara. Because, why not make art a global experience? Who wouldn’t want to sip a margarita while contemplating 200 square feet of artistic genius?
From Cork to Culture Shock
Fin DAC, or as his friends might call him Finbarr Notte when they’re trying to impress their mothers, was raised from the tender age of two by his grandmother in Cork. It’s not every kid whose early years include dodging the not-so-fond scrutiny of teachers and peers for speaking with a Cockney accent, but the man’s made it work! Apparently, the challenges he faced back home now fuel his art.
As he recounts his experience returning to Cork, it’s clear that his journey has been both colourful and, dare I say it, a tad dramatic. Let’s just say it wasn’t all fun and games—elementary school judgments, anyone?
Art in Unusual Places
Now situated in London, Fin is busy preparing for his first solo show in three years at St Martin’s Lane underground crypt gallery. Yes, you heard right—he’s made the crypt trendy. It’s like the hipster version of a burial ground; artisanal lattes not included!
His upcoming exhibition, entitled HomEage, is a creative kickback to the artists who’ve inspired him—think artists like Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, but with a twist. Each piece showcases a split screen of his interpretations alongside their original works. A bit like “Who wore it best?” but with paintings, and absolutely no catfights.
Art with a Conscience
Now, here’s the rub: despite all the accolades and the cheeky value his works accrue, the man isn’t out to make a quick buck. The works from his current show are up for viewing only—no purchasing allowed! It’s almost like he’s challenging us all to leave our wallets at home! You know what they say: “Good art shouldn’t just sit in a vault” (Well, I say that anyway).
Fin DAC describes his affinity for female portraiture, not as an excuse to host a painterly beauty pageant, but as a celebration of beauty and autonomy. “It’s less about the objectification and more about her gazing back at you,” he explains. Truly, if only there were a way to capture that level of enigmatic gaze on Tinder.
The Value of Urban Art
Once considered the domain of graffiti buffs, urban art is now transitioning into a legitimate investment arena. Fin’s limited edition book from HomEage goes for £75—an investment that some cheeky sorts expect to balloon to around £800! Yes, that’s right—your coffee table can now hold a piece of art history, and your wallet can weep quietly in a corner.
But fret not, our humble artist doesn’t let such monetary nonsense cloud his creativity. He knows too well that painting a wall brings no financial guarantee. But oh, let’s not kid ourselves—an original Fin DAC piece will cost you a pretty penny. It seems the starving artist may soon be out of fashion, replaced instead by the comfortably well-fed!
Wrapping Up
So what’s the verdict on Fin DAC? Is he the next Banksy or just a local lad with a flair for the fabulous? Regardless, it’s clear the art world is taking note—and they better buckle up, because this guy’s just getting started!
As Fin would say, “£800 for a book, come on, that’s sacrilegious!” I don’t know about you, but if I’m shelling out nearly a grand for a book, it better at least provide me with a side of fries!
St Charles’ Hospital in London’s Ladbroke Grove, a striking 200-foot tall wall in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the chic Gibson Hotel in Dublin share a compelling connection.
All three locations have been transformed into vibrant canvases by Fin DAC, the Cork-born street artist and muralist who has been steadily carving his niche in the art world over the past decade.
His rising prominence has earned him the playful moniker ‘the Irish Banksy’ from a UK tabloid, a label that he humorously dismisses.
Regardless of whether he is the next Banksy, Fin DAC is undeniably making significant waves in the global art scene.
Fin DAC is distinguished by his unique blend of influences drawn from Japanese manga and fine art, which has steadily captivated audiences and collectors alike, leading to the likes of actor Idris Elba and rapper Goldie becoming part of his growing list of admirers.
One of his recent pieces fetched an impressive £50,800 (over €60,000) at the esteemed auction house Sotheby’s, further highlighting his elevated status in the art community.
His impressive portfolio includes commissioned murals that span the globe, from Cambodia and San Francisco to Tahiti and Mexico, where art enthusiasts can marvel at his enormous tribute to Frida Kahlo prominently displayed on a building in Guadalajara.
Fin DAC, whose birth name is Finbarr Notte, engages in our conversation from his bright and airy studio, a creative haven nestled behind a modest shop front just south of Victoria Park in London’s East End, where he has established his workspace for the past two years.
Now 57, Finbarr has navigated the transatlantic journey between London and Cork, his birthplace, where he spent his early years with his grandmother in Togher, while his parents ventured to England, striving to build a life for themselves amid societal judgment back home regarding their unconventional family circumstances.
The family eventually returned to London to reunite with him, settling initially in the notorious Elephant & Castle, which once held the dubious title of the country’s worst council estate, before relocating back to Ireland when he turned ten.
“Cork was a real culture shock to me,” he recalls as he reflects on their return.
During our interview, Fin is preparing for his first solo exhibition in three years, set to take place at St Martin’s Lane underground crypt gallery, located beneath the bustling Trafalgar Square.
This exhibition is entitled HomEage and includes a series of works that pay tribute to some of the pivotal artists who have influenced his work over the years.
The pieces are ingeniously designed in a split-screen format, showcasing Fin DAC’s meticulous recreation of artworks by these influential artists on one side, while presenting his own interpretation infused with his distinctive flair on the other.
Among the celebrated artists Fin DAC honors are Aubrey Beardsley, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol.
Unlike his previous solo exhibition, 2021’s Afterglow/Undertow—which saw an astonishing total of sales exceeding half a million pounds—the works featured in HomEage are not available for purchase, underscoring his intent to draw a clear line between homage and imitation.
This project originated from the artist’s feelings of boredom during the early days of the pandemic lockdown in California, which consequently allowed him to channel his creativity in unexpected ways.
“It started as a time-wasting exercise that allowed me to expand my creativity,” he candidly shares, adding that the exhibition celebrates not just the artists who paved the way for him but also their muses, highlighting the recurring theme of female portraiture in his work.
“A lot of these historical artists had, let’s say, questionable relationships with their muses,” he observes, distinguishing his approach by emphasizing the respect he holds for these women.
He elaborates, “I do focus on only female portraiture because that’s where I see the beauty in the world.”
Fin DAC asserts, “It’s more about the way that the model is looking back at you as the viewer, rather than how you’re looking at her. It’s redressing the typical narrative of looking at beautiful women.”
The exhibition is accompanied by a limited edition book of the same name, priced at £75 (€89) for the book alone or £175 (€208) including a print.
Once sold out, this book is expected to command prices as high as £800 (€951) in the secondary market, reflecting the changing perception of urban artists’ work as genuine investment opportunities.
In light of the fact that the east wall of a hospital in Ladbroke Grove is unlikely to be available for purchase anytime soon, savvy collectors are quick to acquire unique items like this to secure their own piece of the evolving art landscape.
“I don’t care about that,” he insists. “My focus is still not money,” he emphasizes, reflecting on his early career where financial gain was not his primary concern.
“Yeah, but I didn’t get any of that,” he chuckles, acknowledging the irony of his work’s auction success.
An original Fin DAC work on wood is reportedly valued at approximately £37,000, according to an art dealer representing him, marking a significant departure from the early days of his career.
Reflecting on his journey, he once stated that he lacked any romantic notions of the starving artist narrative, asserting, “If I was going to do it, I was going to do it properly.”
He maintains that despite the skyrocketing demand for his work, he is not driven by the pursuit of wealth.
“Do I want someone to buy my work and put it in a safe deposit or a locker? No,” he expresses, showcasing his desire for his art to be seen and appreciated by the public.
“But by the same token, when you paint a wall, you have no control over what happens to that either,” he acknowledges, recognizing the transient nature of street art.
Despite any misgivings about the commercialization of his art, it is clear that Fin DAC’s creative ascent is relentless, prompting him to grapple with the absurdities of the modern art world.
“I mean, £800 for a book, come on, that’s sacrilegious,” he jokes, emphasizing the absurdity of such valuations while appreciating the journey he has taken to arrive at this juncture.”
Of this, it’s clear that Fin DAC is not just redefining urban art but also its perceived value within the traditional art market. His unique approach to female portraiture and homage to historical artists cultivates a deep connection with viewers while elevating his own status in the art world.
As we delve into the transformation of urban art, Fin DAC stands at the forefront of this cultural shift, pushing boundaries and redefining narratives. His pieces are not mere decorations but rather statements on beauty, empowerment, and the complexities of artistic influence, inviting us to engage with art in a meaningful way. With his charming wit and insightful perspective, Fin DAC invites us to appreciate art beyond its commercial value—this is art that provokes thought, stirs emotions, and perhaps even challenges societal norms.
Moreover, the upcoming exhibition at the St Martin’s Lane crypt offers a unique opportunity to see these works in a space that enhances their aesthetic and thematic depth. A crypt may seem an unconventional choice for an art show, but as Fin DAC proves, art can thrive in the most unexpected places, compelling us to reconsider our understanding of where and how we engage with creativity.
Fin DAC’s journey from the streets of Cork to the prestigious auction houses and galleries signifies a pivotal moment for urban artists. Whether you’re a seasoned art collector or a casual observer, his works invite you into a dialogue—one that doesn’t just appreciate the beauty and intricacy of art but also challenges you to rethink the role art plays in our lives and society at large. So, are you ready to experience this art revolution? Grab your margarita, head to the crypt, and prepare for a vibrant encounter that’s sure to linger in your memory long after the exhibition closes.
