Kanye West boasts, “If Yoda was an artist he’d be Simon Henwood.” Mario Testino exclaims, “Simon’s characters are ordinary people, yet presented on canvas through paintings – a formal medium – these people in painting appear elevated to a permanent document of their character.”

With responses like this about artist Simon Henwood it’s no wonder Henwood is being honored with such acclaim. Critics choice in the pages of Vogue to the cover of Design week. Henwood’s work features as part of the Voo-Doo exhibition, which has been honored with “Exhibition of the Week” and “Critics Choice” – The Times, and “Featured Exhibiton” in Dazed & Confused, Art World and Saatchi Online.

Simon Henwood will be celebrating the launch of his new book of artwork, HENWOOD, which covers 20 years of his work of multi-disciplinary works.

The book includes collaborations with many musicians including Kanye West, Kylie Minogue, Roisin Murphy, Imogen Heap, Badly Drawn Boy and Devendra Banhart. Henwood is also known as a director and many of his film and animation stills are shown in the book along with several essays, a new interview and commentary from fellow artists and critics including Mario Testino and Walt Disney biographer, John Canemaker.

Henwood has had the unique career of always maintaining an independent direction while working between multiple media platforms. Henwood has had world-wide attention for his paintings for the last 12 years which included a touring show with MOMA, NYC. In contrast he recently directed TIME MAGAZINE’s VIDEO OF THE YEAR with “Love Lockdown” for Kanye West. He also designed the set, costumes, and visuals for Kayne’s acclaimed “GLOW IN THE DARK” tour. This work is the subject of a new book published by Rizzoli later this year.

Henwood will be celebrating the launch of his book on March 31, 2009 at VANILLA in Central London.

Pop stars, artist’s and even a member of the magic circle will be there to entertain.

The venue will be curated for one night only with some of Henwood’s more unusual work from over the years.

Some other examples of his more controversial work are the RED RIDING HOOD paintings which are on show at the moment for the first time in 10 years as a part of the Voo-Doo exhibition at the Riflemaker Gallery. Also included is his topical work of the infamous portrait of Kylie Minogue as a young naked boy.

Roisin Murphy will also be on site to DJ for the evening. The singer has also been captured in Henwood’s paintings for her first solo record, ‘Ruby Blue’.

Simon Henwood on amazon.com

Simon Henwood on amazon.co.uk

Simon Henwood Official Website