PURE EVIL

Charles Uzzell-Edwards, known in the art world as Pure Evil, is a contemporary street artist whose distinctive style has captivated audiences globally. Born in 1968 in South Wales, he was creative from a young age. His instantly recognisable imagery, the signature vampiric bunny rabbit as well as Iconic Portraits with a single heavy teardrop, delves into the complex interplay of fame and the darker side of celebrity culture. Adopting 'Pure Evil' as a pseudonym may seem humorous, but it has granted the freedom to explore darker themes in art. It also mirrors the sombre realities present in today's world.

His artistic journey was profoundly shaped by the West Coast graffiti movement during his time in California in the 1990s, where he worked in fashion design for a streetwear brand. The character art in San Francisco, in particular, inspired him and influenced his way of thinking— “there’s poetry in the streets”. Pure Evil was particularly inspired by the works of artists such as Twist and Reminisce, who were very active in the West Coast graffiti scene of the 1990s. After a decade in California, he moved back to London, became involved in Banksy’s pop-up gallery concept known as Santa’s Ghetto

Upon his return to the UK, he immersed himself in London’s burgeoning street art scene. His fanged bunny rabbit, a symbol born of childhood remorse, became synonymous with his name. As the streets began to murmur ‘who is Pure Evil?’, a mysterious aura enveloped his persona, he propelled himself to new creative heights.

Beginning with solo exhibitions and later expanding into a diverse collection of screen prints, Charles ultimately founded his own gallery and artist’s studio in Shoreditch. Since the inauguration of Pure Evil Gallery in 2007, he has garnered a well-deserved reputation among in both Street and Contemporary Art