The Real Hackney Dave

Dave Buonaguidi, also known as The Real Hackney Dave, uses mass communication techniques and propaganda to create bold, playful, and thought-provoking artworks. He connects directly with audiences through assertive, often humorous, and sometimes provocative phrases that spark immediate reactions. His work combines found materials and images with experimental screen printing, frequently on vintage ephemera like photographs, maps, and copper plates. By layering traditional imagery with diverse media such as glitter, gold leaf, and even pheromone spray, Dave challenges conventional notions of art. "I love creativity with a purpose," he says. "There has to be a reaction." A London native, Dave’s background in advertising gave him insight into the power of pairing words with images, which influences his artistic style. He draws inspiration from pop art, particularly Jamie Reid’s décollage, and a vintage propaganda book from his Italian grandmother. His work is rooted in everyday life, politics, media, and universal emotions, aiming to be accessible and relatable, much like pop music. Dave has exhibited at renowned venues such as the V&A, the Imperial War Museum, and Trento Museum of Modern Art. His collectors include notable figures like Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, Kate Moss, and Henry Golding. He's also involved in charity work, raising funds for the NHS, Ukraine, and local London causes like The Tottenham Food Bank. "My art is about creating emotional connections," he says. "I find something important, then create words that make it fun and unique. I hope my work inspires positive change." His personal mantra: be happy, be generous, make happy.