Striking and bold, many of Cynthia Poole’s paintings take as their subject food packaging, sweet wrappers and chocolate bars; often with a warm nostalgia for confectionary of the ’70s and ’80s . Liking their vivid colour and strident competitiveness, she explores the ways in which they complete and clash, and complement one another. Each one has been designed to draw attention to itself, but together they make a glorious, confused landscape. The mixed responses of nostalgia, hunger, and maybe guilt, that can arise from these objects, are transformed on the canvas into the carnival aspect of consumer culture.

We dare you to be a part of something incredible in your life for once, while doing something good for the art community at the same time. ‘The HOPE Campaign & Empty Kingdom have joined forces to bring artists from around the globe together during SXSW in Austin, TX for an ALL DAY ART EVENT titled “ReCREATE: ATX” to support one of the largest outdoor art galleries in the United States, the HOPE Outdoor Gallery (HOG).’ What’s in it for you for supporting this awesome campaign? You get cool stuff from contributing a S1 all the way up to $1000. I bet you got at least a dollar don’t you? Then give it up, you won’t be disappointed. Trust me, you’ll feel so much better knowing it’s going to an awesome cause. And remember that it’s not about how much money you give, it’s about being part of this community that helps artists altogether. The HOPE campaign matters to all of us whether you’re an artist or not. Help make it happen for ReCREATE ATX!

” My work explores moments when we willingly and unwillingly dive into the next phase of our life. Whether it’s moving to a new city, starting or ending a relationship, having a baby, or quitting a job, these moments of endings and beginnings are alternately terrifying and exhilarating. Ready or not, we jump, fall or are pushed, and our lives change.” – Michelle Jader

Wow: Cuboid Balloon is a helium filled, massive floating monolith created by Junya Ishigami (via The Fox Is Black)

My Gollum illustrations are directly inspired by the hobbit-like creature’s personality (which is based on addiction). For me, he is certainly the most complex and interesting character in the Lord of the Rings series. I read that a psychiatrist and a group of medical students in London have diagnosed Gollum, with schizoid personality disorder. When you get a chance, please check out a feed of my latest work on Tumblr. Thanks guys!

Sam Jinks‘ sculptural work sustains the briefest and often most private moments in time. Emotional vulnerability is both the subject and result of his work and moves audiences in a way not expected from contemporary art. For Jinks, his works are not literal representations, but are based on the combination of different stages of life. He includes elements both old and new; an antique style plinth supports an up-scaled embryo and in another work a couple lying together presents an allegory using the the dog-headed figure, describing the irrational aspects of human relationships. (via Sullivan+Strumpf)

Love this snake mural. What an impressive piece coming from street artist Sokram for the Desordes Creativas Festival in Ordes, Galizia, Spain.

This is awesome. Check out these fun illustrations by “Lauren“. Plenty of wonderfully simple and fresh work on her website.

This bench was visually inspired by the feeling of floating that the main character felt in the French movie, “Le Ballon Rouge”(1953). In reality the bench is suspended from the ceiling by 4 anchors concealed by the balloon shapes. This creates the illusion of the bench being lifted by balloons. Click here for the link.

French architecture studio Hondelatte Laporte Architects have created a childcare center in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, that features a giant giraffe as part of the building.