Welcome to the latest art to emerge from the contemporary visionaries as seen through the eyes of Platinum Cheese.
Earlier this month, Athen B. Gallery introduced a Mural Project series with the city of San Leandro, CA where four different artists tackle a separate wall with his or her individual style. First up is
Augustine Kofie continues to push and explore technologies and strategies to build up space within his work, and in each series he poses himself a new problem to be solved. Build From Memory began with the challenge of how to produce dynamic movement from a stable, static (horizontal/vertical) foundation. The answer came in the form diagonal “breaks”, perspectival lines that produce volume, protrusion, immersion, and depth in the horizontal-vertical system. It is these breaks that are built from memory and inspire the title of the collection, for they come directly from the 3D technique of traditional letter writing practices such as sign painting or graffiti.
Marco Mazzoni's chiaroscuro drawings depict women consumed by a hallucinogenic flood of flora and fauna. Whether coming from within or without, flower petals and butterfly wings merge with the subjects to create a haunting snapshot of sensuality. Inspired by Sardinian folklore and matriarchal culture, 'Dear Collapse' explores nature's mysteries of life and death.
This Saturday, Athen B. Gallery welcomes the return of Laura Berger and introduces new comer Sarah Bowser with 'Nobody, Everybody'. The duo exhibit features Berger's acrylic and gouache paintings of playful naked humans within minimalistic environments. The Chicago based artist explores more personal narratives with this collection centered around family and connection. Bowser creates paper-cut collages to express feelings of anxiety. Her interiors depict imperfect realities of seemingly trivial objects (fallen flowers or broken pots) set against cheerful color palettes and domestic scenes.
Earlier this month, Evan Hecox unveiled his fourth solo show with Joshua Liner Gallery entitled, The Long Way. Hecox's latest collection of work reflects the artist's fascination with the terrain and topography of the Southwest, as these works on paper serve as a visual link to his recent road trip through this area of the US. Each work was created from sketches and memories of his travels, reflecting the character of these often arid and open spaces. Hecox explores the cultural past of the area with reductive works that leave us with whispers and hints at history. Abandoned cars and structures, add to a sense of a long past, here reduced to clean and clear lines and form.
In the basement of his cozy Portland home, Adam Friedman explores the dynamics between nature and technology through a tireless and unique creative process. The area is modest but spacious and it spills into the storage and laundry facilities where most of the canvas prepping (stretching, building frames, etc.) takes place. When walking into the main studio room, I notice paint buckets gathered on the floor with a few being used as an impromptu easel. A bookshelf holds an assortment of spray cans, reference books, and other painter supplies such as tape and brushes. But of course, what's most interesting by far part are the many walls displaying Adam's latest collection of work: 'Avalanche'.
Molly Bounds, Caleb Hahne, and Michael Reeder unveil new work this Saturday at Athen B. Gallery unified under the banner 'Spectators'. The exhibit highlights distinct narratives told through a common thread - the elements of human nature. With each painting, an identity, perspective and experience has been embraced by the respective artist that illustrates subtle nuances of humanity.. From Bounds' illustrative stills, to Hahne's exploration of symbolism, and the mix of realism with flat graphic space of Reeder's work, 'Spectators' aims for a diverse, yet cohesive exhibit that doesn't disappoint.
Jessica Ross flexes her curatorial muscles once again as she presents 'Go Figure' this month at Spoke Art NYC. The group exhibit features the work of sixteen artists who have a sharpened sense of minimal design and are unified by a timeless subject - the human figure.
On January 27th, guest curator and artist Max Kauffman asks that you 'LEAN in CLOSER' at Stephanie Chefas Projects. Kauffman's latest curatorial endeavor features eleven artists whose work relays discreet narratives through the use of pointed imagery and stunning technique. Hand selected by Kauffman himself, each artist hails from the tradition of folk, frequently expressing emotion and weaving captivating tales that compels the viewer to search beyond the surface and discover secrets lying within.
Carlos Ramirez returned home this January when he debuted his latest solo at New Image Art Gallery with 'Complejo de Cristo y Vampiros'. As one half of the artistic duo, The Date Farmers, Ramirez continues upon his signature Mexican American Folk aesthetic to create vibrant paintings brimming with social and political commentary. Native Americans blend with Coca-cola logos and sobbing clowns are combined with religious symbols that challenge the viewer to seek
Athen B. Gallery is starting 2017 with a fantastic group exhibit featuring a mix of urban contemporary veterans and emerging artists unified under the banner, 'RESET". With Augustine Kofie's signature retro-futuristic aesthetic alongside the expressionistic abstract forms of Dave Kinsey and Kelly Ording's geometric repetition, 'RESET' proves to be the gallery's most surreal exhibit to date.
I'm delighted to announce the third installment of Platinum Blend hosted by Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco. This year's selected artists encompass a range of styles and media, but coalesce symbiotically to form a lush visual dialogue. From Eric Wert's hyper-real still life paintings to