'Anything But Ordinary’ 

The Connor Brothers

The Reem Gallery collection houses a fantastic selection of works by The Connor Brothers, and for this show at Reem Gallery Soho we exhibited works from the archive and exclusive editions created especially for us.

Not only is the artwork iconic, eye-catching, and highly collectable but there’s a great story to go along with it too.

In 2011, twins Franklyn and Brendan Connor (known as The Connor Brothers) slid into the art world shrouded in a veil of intrigue and drama. Having escaped a cult known as ‘The Family’ at the age of 16, the twins settled in Brooklyn, New York and soon began their pop culture education having been shielded from the world on the remote commune. 

Their processes of absorbing films, books and music led to them making art together; often dark and humorous and referencing the inexpensive ‘pulps’ (magazines made in the early 20th century which were famous for having a half-dressed damsel in distress heroines on the covers). 

In a plot twist akin to those found in the pulp magazines of the 40s, the twins revealed in 2014 that their backstory and even relationship was all a ruse. They are in fact British artists James Golding and Mike Snelle. They may not be siblings, and their story may have been entirely fictitious, but their creativity and close friendship has seen them create works in support, and to raise awareness of, personal and societal issues. The Connor Brothers have previously worked to support and raise awareness for refugees and regularly raise funds for the U.K. mental health charity, CALM. Their work is some of the most sought-after contemporary art of a generation.

The Connor Brothers never miss, creating work that is relevant, witty, and bold. 

The collection included two enormous hand-painted unique editions which took over one wall, and the rare pieces got their own spaces (the 2017 hand painted artist proof of ‘If you have a Skeleton’ and the 2014 ‘I tried to drown my sorrows’). The prints, of varying sizes and editions, made up the rest of the collection, communicating with each other via sly side-eye glances and sassy half-smiles.

Install shots below by Sian Cook Photography