Pure Evil

The artist Charles Uzzell-Edwards a.k.a Pure Evil is the son of the artist John Uzzell-Edwards whose work is also represented in the Twr y Felin Art Hotel Collection. Charlie grew up in South Wales with an early love for creativity. As a teenager he was a rebel, customizing his own clothes in the vein of Sid Vicious and the Sex Pistols, and experimenting in different modes of dress. He went on to study fashion in London and then moved to California, where he became a streetwear designer and immersed himself in the laid-back, affluent culture of the West Coast.

However, it was also on the West Coast where Uzell-Edwards artistic fire was lit. Particularly influenced by street artists Twists and Reminice, Uzell-Edwards returned to London in 2000 and worked for a stint at Banksy’s retail show Santas Ghetta. He soon began to spray and create his own signature bunny tag for street application. Uzell-Edwards’ rabbit tag is an ode to a rabbit he killed as a child and which he felt guilt for.

In 2007, Uzell-Edwards opened Pure Evil Gallery in Shoreditch, East London. The gallery has played a significant role in fostering young up-and-coming artists worldwide and also serves as Uzell- Edwards studio space, where he devised the Nightmare series of Warhol-esque portraits of celebrities with blood dripping from their eyes. The wildly popular Nightmare series saw Uzzell-Edwards’ work exhibited worldwide, including in the U.S., France, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Sweden, Germany, Indonesia and Mongolia. Additionally, Uzzell-Edwards’ work is held in private collections worldwide.

“The eight spray-painted portraits in Pure Evil’s iconic NighmareStyle commemorate Welsh singers and actors depicting Tom Jones, Richard Burton, Siân Phillips and Shirley Bassey, as well as Anthony Hopkins, Katherine Jenkins, Catherine Zeta Jones and Cerys Matthews.

Charles Uzzell Edwards (Pure Evil) said: “I was born and raised in Wales so was immediately excited to create the iconic Welsh portraits for Twr y Felin Hotel.”

“Capturing an essence of Wales with a slightly sinister twist, the portraits are an excellent addition to the Nightmare Series – I hope visitors will enjoy them as much I have relished making them.”