“Tinsel and Twinkle are instinctive socialists. They believe in equality and collective action. At it’s core, the work of Tinsel and Twinkle reflects the values espoused by the Guerilla Girls of 1980s New York and the Riot Grrrl movement of the 1990s”
Graham Crowley, Painter
Between 2009 and 2018 I often collaborated with my childhood friend Twinkle Troughton. Together we created a series of street based performance artworks. These collaborations are not as frequent now that Twinkle lives in Margate and I live in Glasgow, but there could be more in the future!
To read more about Tinsel and Twinkle you can read the essay ‘Affluence and Avarice; by painter Graham Crowley here
TRAFFIC WARDENS 2009
Tinsel and Twinkle dressed as traffic wardens and took to the streets to dish out parking fines across London. But instead of a fine, inside the official parking ticket bag was a free artwork: a limited edition screen print.
KIDNAPPING A BANKER 2012
In response to the global economic crisis, Tinsel and Twinkle decided to kidnap a banker. They held him to ransom for the duration of their opening night of their duo 'mini-retrospective' exhibition in 2012.
THE BANK OF TINSEL & TWINKLE 2013
Tinsel & Twinkle created their own bank, which trades in thought rather than currency. They made their own uniforms, branding and bank notes. The Bank of Tinsel & Twinkle was active throughout 2013, they set up in several locations in London, and then in Vienna to coincide with their duo exhibition at Galerie Michaela Stock.
REVOLUTION LAUNDERETTE 2014
Tinsel & Twinkle created The Revolution Launderette for the London Art Car Boot Fair 2014.
Dressed as 1950s inspired launderette ladies, they invited the public into their launderette and asked what kind of revolution people would like to see in the world. Surrounded by washing machines, Tinsel & Twinkle soap powder boxes and peg bags, their launderette is a symbol of change and renewal.
CLOWNS OF JESTMINSTER 2015
Tinsel & Twinkle created the Clowns of Jestminster when they were feeling very glum about the Conservatives being elected in May 2015.
For the Art Car Boot Fair 2015, Tinsel & Twinkle dressed as clowns, bringing their own surreal take on British politics to the public. People were invited to 'Feed Farage Foreign Food', 'Knock down the PolitiCANS' play on the T&T tombola and 'Hook a politician/duck'. Win a prize every time.
Freedom of movement 2018
After the Brexit vote Tinsel & Twinkle celebrated our Freedom of Movement and campaigned to preserve this precious citizen’s right for the people of the UK.
Pic credits: Kristoffer Myhre, Uslan Cevet, Phil Whitby