Some of the leading names in contemporary art will pay tribute to the world-renowned artist Andy Warhol in a unique, free street exhibition taking place in Croydon throughout September.

Specially-created giant-sized pieces by leading artists including Ron English, Dan Cimmermann and The Dotmaster will be on display.

These are just three of the 12 artists whose homages to Warhol will be exhibited at prominent locations across the south London town as part of Warhol Croydon.

The giant artworks, which will also be lit up at night, are the centrepiece of a ground-breaking programme of free events being delivered in the town throughout September by Croydon’s award-winning RISEgallery with support from the Croydon Business Improvement District (BID) and Croydon Council.

In Ron English, Warhol Croydon welcomes one of the most prolific and recognisable artists alive today. He has bombed the global landscape with unforgettable images, on the street, in museums, in films, books and television. Hs work coined the term POPagana, a fusion of superheroes, comic strips and art history, populated with his original characters including Abraham Obama, the fusion of America’s 16th and 44th Presidents.

Commenting on his involvement with Warhol Croydon, contemporary fine artist Dan Cimmermann said: "For me, personally, Warhol has been a major inspiration and influence on not just my work but many other artists across the world, crossing boundaries between graphic design and fine art. We all have our favourites but for me the stand out piece, as a mad Rolling Stones fan, has to be 'Mick Jagger' - it personifies cool.

“To be part of Warhol Croydon is unreal. Croydon has really opened up to art and culture and is offering people like me the freedom to express myself in a way artists could only dream of. In today's money driven market, Croydon, RISEgallery and all those working on this project need saluting."

London-based artist, The Dotmaster said: "Warhol took everyday things and made them high art. Co-curating the Warhol Croydon street exhibition gives a chance for us to show just how much Warhol's influence still exists today.

Croydon has an edge, something going on that is unlike anywhere else right now - plus they keep getting me back to paint - I love the place."

Warhol Croydon is the latest initiative of the RISEgallery which has previously brought exhibitions of work to Croydon by renowned artists Damien Hirst and Banksy.

RISEgallery founder, Kevin Zuchowski-Morrison said: “We are thrilled such high-profile modern artists have agreed to display their tributes to Warhol throughout our town, underlining the massive cultural renaissance that is taking place here.”

Free guided tours of the artworks will take place twice daily as part of the event, while an exhibition of original Warhol works, a series of talks, lectures, film and documentary screenings also form part of the initiative which is expected to attract tens of thousands of extra visitors into the town.

Further information visit: www.warholcroydon.co.uk ABOUT THE ARTISTS RON ENGLISH: An American contemporary designer, painter and street artists, he coined the term POPaganda to describe his fusion of superheroes, comic strips and art history iconography.

DAN CIMMERMANN: Specialises in taking an image and manipulating, disguising, defacing and disfiguring it in his own personal style.

THE DOTMASTER: Uses a contemporary twist of media and performance, all merged with graffiti and street art, he has produced several hugely popular pieces of work as part of the Croydon Mural Project throughout the town’s cultural quarter.

Submitted by John Payne