Copro presented the Hi-Fructose 5th Anniversary group show to a packed house on Saturday evening (3.13).   Given Hi-Fructose’s position as one of the leading pop surrealism magazines, it’s not surprising that their anniversary shows are always eagerly anticipated and have over the years delivered.  Maybe it’s because the show is fresh in our minds, but this latest installment feels like one of the strongest yet.

Headlined by a bumper crop of excellent paintings from some of the scene’s top painters including Ron English, Craola, Audrey Kawasaki, Amy Sol, Martin Wittfooth as well as in-your-face sculptures by Colin Christian, Scott Musgrove, Harma Heikens, and Kris Kuksi,  standout pieces seemed to be the norm.  We’re also happy to report that the show seems to have sold quite well.

Speaking of sculptures, Scott Musgrove’s large  5-foot Prairie Boxer bronze sculpture is a highlight piece  made all that more impressive by the fact that it was sculpted by Scott himself.  The large/short pair of creatures have an undeniable life and presence.  So it’s a shame that very few show goers were able to appreciate the piece due to the poor viewing conditions.  There was no direct light on the piece and as a result it languished in relative darkness (the pictures after the jump were shot with  high iso or flash).  Disappointing.

Make no mistake though, Hi-Fructose’s 5th Anniversary exhibition is an excellent group show with very strong work.  If you missed it, definitely set some time aside to drop by Copro to check it out before it closes on April 3rd.  For artwork availability, please check the official show preview.

Copro Gallery
Bergamot Station
7525 Michigan Ave T5
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.829.2156

More Images + Info »

Giant Robot 2 presented the opening of Patchwork, a group show with a crafty twist, on Saturday evening (3.13).  Each artist created their artwork on a uniform sized fabric square and collectively they formed a ‘quilt of sorts’.  While some artists produced sewn quilt-like patches, many focused on painted or drawn images while others pushed the sewing into 3d with plush-based pieces.  David Horvath’s Ugly square and Phil Lumbang’s oh-so-sweet four square caught our attention.  Patchwork runs through April 17th @ Giant Robot 2.

Giant Robot 2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025

More Images + Info »

Carmichael Gallery will present Nina Pandolfo’s “Life’s Flavor” on Saturday March 20th 2010 , the gallery’s first exhibition  since relocating to its new larger Culver City location.  Based in São Paulo, Pandolfo, one of Brazil’s  leading female graffiti artists, has cultivated a whimsical colorful style seen in her outdoor murals as well as her fine art created for several international exhibitions.  For Life’s Flavor, her first solo in the United States, Nina has created mixed-media sculptures, works on canvas, metal and glass, a featured piece featuring 30k Swarovski crystals as well as several site-specific installations (progress shot above).

Nina Pandolfo / “Life’s Flavor”
Carmichael Gallery
5795 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Opening: Saturday, March 20th 2010 (7-10 PM).  Artist in attendance.

More Images + Info »

After their excellent first piece on Kelsey Brookes, The Creative Lives continues its video profile series with an feature on LA area artist Mark Dean Veca.  The piece focuses on Veca’s formative years as well his recent breathtaking Phantasmagoria installation @ Otis as well as his .  Next up from The Creative Lives – Megan Whitmarsh.  This new video series is well worth watching – just do it.

Tran Nguyen considers the psychological distress weighing down so many of us and seeks to alleviate it with her newest solo, Nurturing the Uneased Soul, which opened Friday evening (3.12) in Thinkspace’s Project room.  Her finely rendered fantastic and surreal paintings with a look towards the past are intended as a form of visual therapy meant to lend a sense of order and calm to the viewer.  Using a mix of colored pencils and acrylics, Nguyen creates an aesthetic that celebrates the beauty and foibles of humanity. Currently completing her BFA in illustration, Nguyen has just begun to share her vision.    Nurturing the Uneased Soul runs through April 2nd.  For artwork availability, check the official preview page.

Thinkspace Art Gallery
4210 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323.913.3375

More Images + Info »

On Friday (3.12), Danish artist Armsrock + NYC artist Imminent Disaster presented their perspectives on an increasingly common temporary living situation, Refuge, @ Thinkspace.   From the collaborative front room installation featuring an Imminent Disaster refugee nestled in a shelter to Armsrock’s large-scale drawings and Imminent Disaster’s Crossing the River sculpture (above) created with an intricate paper cut design, the viewer is surrounded by images of life lived as a last resort in stark conditions.   Both artists also offered smaller pieces including drawings on paper and paintings on found objects.   Refuge, an impactful final show at Thinkspace’s current location prior to the impending move to Culver City,  runs through April 2nd 2010.  For art availability, please check the official show preview.

Thinkspace Art Gallery
4210 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323.913.3375

More Images + Info »

This past Saturday, Merry Karnowsky presented the opening of Camille Rose Garcia’s ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ exhibition and book signing.  The show features a dizzying and dazzling array of Garcia’s illustrations created for a new edition of Lewis Caroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland published by Collins Design.  In addition to the illustrations used in the book, Garcia also presented original paintings based on Alice’s turn in Wonderland.

Seated in a grand chair, Garcia welcomed fans and signed copies of the book throughout the evening. The book mixes the classic story with her new eye-catching and unique visuals.  With the release of Tim Burton’s new film, book stores are stocked with numerous editions of the original story  — the new Collins Design volume offers an intriguing offering.

Running through March 27th, 2010,  Down the Rabbit Hole is a comprehensive look at Camile Rose Garcia’s expansive interpretation of Caroll’s classic, timeless tale.  While our gallery of opening night photos (after the jump) offers a good sampling of the art on display, it represents perhaps half of the full show. If you find yourself in Southern California, definitely take a visit to Wonderland (in Hollywood).

Merry Karnowsky Gallery
170 N. La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.933.4408

More Images + Info »

Danish artist Armsrock and Brooklyn artist Imminent Disaster have meshed their skills and artistic visions to consider a progressively frayed society with their first joint show, Refuge, opening this Friday March 12th 2010 @ Thinkspace (7-11 PM).  Working without color, the stark results invite viewers to reflect on  our current plight and perhaps our new impending reality.  Dailydujour had the pleasure of an advanced look at the show including the collaborative front room installation which portrays the nurturing aspects of refuge.

The artists’ arresting centerpiece works including  Armsrock’s looming oversize drawings and an intricate installation from Immiment Disaster(seen reflected in a window after the jump) set the tone for viewing the  collection as a whole.    Enjoy the preview and be sure to check out the opening if you’re in the vicinity.  This is the last show before Thinkspace moves to its new Culver City location in April.

Armsrock & Imminent Disaster / Refuge
Opening: Friday, March 12th 2010 (7-11 PM).
Thinkspace Art Gallery
4210 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323.913.3375

More Images + Info »

Tim Biskup created the visual identity as well as a limited-edition print (above) for Twentywonder, “a one night World’s Fair’ which takes places Saturday, March 6th (6 – Midnight) in Culver City. The event celebrates 21st century creativity as well as serving to raise money to assist those with down-syndrome which is also known as Trisomy 21.  The Biskup Print is available with the $500 (donation) tickets.  There are several other ticket packages available as well.

Twentywonder
Veterans Memorial Building
Culver City, CA

More Images + Info »

It’s that time of year again, Oscar is all shiny and ready for his moment in the sun.  Right? While there’s plenty of glitz to the Acadmey Awards, D*Face has taken it upon himself to show the other side of Hollywood with two of his very own ‘Oscar’ sculpture installations – one on Runyon canyon (near the iconic ‘Hollywood’ sign) and one in the parking lot of Mel’s Diner close to the Academy Awards venue.  The pictured D*Face Oscar from Runyon Canyon is peeling or melting showing his mortal self underneath the golden facade and is accompanied by a plague reading “Beauty is one snip away”.  With a similar sentiment, Mel’s Diner statue’s plaque reads “Beauty is Skin Deep” [via Jetset Grafitti].

More Images + Info »

The Manifest Equality gallery, promoting equal rights for all through the power of art,  opened Tuesday night (3.3) for the private artists reception.   The show’s organizers including Yosi Sergant, Apple Via, Jenn Gross have  brought together a diverse set of artists for an impressive group show focusing on erasing the inequalities faced by the LGBT community.  Rising from the ashes of failed commerce (Big Lots), the pop-up space features multiple creative display spaces including two faux houses.

The exhibited art focuses on the multi-faceted and diverse nature of love through  photography, paintings, drawings and sculptures draw.  While the large group of artists has varied backgrounds, Manifest Equality showcases lowbrow and pop surrealist art.  In addition to art within the gallery itself, Manifest Equality contributes several outdoor installations visible to passerbys including a breathtaking wall mural by Mac, Retna, and Kofie as well as a cleverly intricate string art 3D heart.

Manifest Equality runs through Sunday, March 7th and is well worth a visit for the art and to contemplate the critically important movement to ensure equality for Americans regardless of sexual orientation. Be sure to check out our comprehensive photo gallery from Tuesday’s opening reception after the jump.

Manifest Equality
1341 Vine Street
Los Angeles, CA 90028-8141

More Images + Info »

Legendary NYC writer Haze made an appearance at the new Known Gallery in LA (Fairfax) on Friday (2.26) for a special exhibition showcasing 30 original drawings celebrating his collaborative S/S line with  Stussy.  The graphics have a classic streamlined look – nicely understated. Parts of the collection were shown including laptop cases and kicks.  Very strong turnout for an influential old school artist in a swanky new venue.

Known Gallery
441 N. Fairfax
Los Angeles, CA

More Images + Info »

Through the looking glass we go.  This past Saturday (2.27),  Nucleus presented the opening of Curiouser and Curiouser a group show celebrating and interpreting Lewis Caroll’s timeless classic Alice in Wonderland.  The exhibit features original works (drawings, paintings, and sculptures) from a large group including Amy Sol, Kukula, Naoto Hattori, Aya Kakeda and more.In addition to the original art, the opening reception featured a display of Maquettes created by Gentle Giant to assist in the production of the soon-to-be-released Alice in Wonderland film directed by Tim Burton.

Enjoy our photos from the opening (after the jump) including a look at contestants in the ‘Alice’ costume contest.  For the latest on the availability of show pieces, check the official preview page.  Curiouser and Curiouser runs through March 29th, 2010.

Nucleus
210 East Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801
626.458.7477

More Images + Info »