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

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Martin Wittfooth presented a series of striking views of wildlife for his Tempest solo which opened on Saturday (2.13)@ Copro Gallery in Santa Monica.  While its perhaps trite to say, Martin’s excellent paintings need to be seen in person to be truly appreciated.  There’s a masterful subtlety in his colors and lighting.  In addition to his original oil paintings many of which are quite large, Wittfooth also presented a trio of painted polymer clay sculptures.  Finally, a wood shanty installation set the mood for the show complete with ambient sound effects.  Be sure to check out the official Tempest preview for price availability.   Chris Ryniak also opened a solo at Copro the same evening – pictures to follow shortly.

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

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Martin Wittfooth. Guardian. 30" x 30". Oil on panel.

Copro Gallery presents two compelling visions of fauna both natural and unnatural with two concurrent solos from Chris Ryniak and Martin Wittfooth (above).  Opening tonight, February 13th – both  Ryniak’s ‘The Burgeoning’ and Wittfooth’s Tempest feature original paintings as well as sculpture.

Chris Ryniak / Martin Wittfooth
Opening: Saturday, February 13th (8 – 11:30)
Copro
Bergamot Station
7525 Michigan Ave T5
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.829.2156

More Images + Info »

Desensitize Bust. Gustavo Ponce.

Here’s a detailed preview of Desensitized, a joint show featuring Brian Viveros and Dan Quintana, opening next Saturday, January 16th @ Copro Gallery in Santa Monica.   Viveros and Quintana assault the senses with beautiful imagery laced with life on the edge in individual paintings and their collaborative Desensitized piece which will also be presented as a sculpture by Gustavo Ponce (above).  Hit the jump for more preview images.

Brian Viveros & Dan Quintana / “Desensitized”
January 16th (8-11 PM)
Copro
Bergamot Station
7525 Michigan Ave T5
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.829.2156

Brian Viveros. Suffocate.

Desensitized, featuring original art by Brian Viveros and Dan Quintana, opens on January 16th @ Copro Gallery in Santa Monica.  Here’s a follow-on preview to our initial post about the show, featuring two impressive pieces by Brian Viveros.

Brian Viveros & Dan Quintana / “Desensitized”
January 16th (8-11 PM)
Copro
Bergamot Station
7525 Michigan Ave T5
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.829.2156

More Images + Info »

Brian Viveros and Dan Quintana will open their joint show, Desensitized, on Saturday January 16th (8-11 PM) @ Copro Gallery.  The show’s title refers to the oversaturation of imagery and the resultant numbness on the part of viewers.  The title is provocative in part because both artists have become skilled at presenting irresistible images as part of their commercial work.   In addition to the  original solo and collaborative works, the show will attempt to capture the audience’s attention with a continual loop of two of Viveros’s films, Dislandia and Southern, live music from Joe Wood and the Lonely Ones, as well as cocktails served by waitresses wearing costumes drawn from the art.

Brian Viveros & Dan Quintana / “Desensitized”
January 16th (8-11 PM)
Copro
Bergamot Station
7525 Michigan Ave T5
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.829.2156

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Amy Sol offered a delectable  menu of new original paintings with Wilderness Buffet which opened this past Saturday (11.7) @ Copro Gallery in Santa Monica. This new body of work (four medium sized pieces and three smaller pieces) features Sol’s beautiful and surrealistic imagery blending earth tones with numerous aquatic references. While the new pieces retain her signature serenity with a dash of whimsy, they feel slightly more upbeat and cheerful.

In addition to the original work, the gallery is offering three exquisitely done prints of her new work (nearly 1:1 size wise).  The Sea Ice Caravel print in particular is quite stunning – done on paper, the wood texture is reproduced with strong results.   For complete information on painting and print availability, see the official show page.

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

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Initially known for her children’s book illustrations, Nicoletta Ceccoli has found a receptive audience for her growing body of fine art.  Her latest solo, Babes in Toyland, opened this past Saturday @ Copro Gallery featuring a handful of whimsical yet sentimental acrylic on paper paintings which bear a  resemblance to the work of Mark Ryden.  In an impressive showing, her original pieces nearly sold out.   Several very nice prints were also offered at the show – see the show preview for full details.

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

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Stella Im Hultberg turned towards the darker less glamorous aspects of life for her Penumbra solo which opened this past Saturday @ Copro Gallery in Santa Monica. She offered several very dark (both visually and symbolically) pieces done in oil and acrylic. Additionally, she revisited  her ever-popular acrylic on tea stanined paper with four smaller pieces.  While the style is reminiscent of her earlier works, the once beautifully glamorous subjects are now visibly harried and troubled.  For piece availability, check the official show preview page.

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

More Images + Info »

CoproGallery in Bergamot Station is currently showing “Monster?” – an outstanding group exhibition curated by Travis Louie, featuring more than thirty artists. Check out all the tentacles and fangs before the show closes on August 1st.

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Mia’s Inventress painting (above),inspired by the writing of E.T.A Hoffman, was featured in Hi-Fructose’s Overdose show at Copro gallery.  While the original has sold, A Paper Tiger will release a large format Inventress print (16.5” x 24”, ed. of 25, $150) this Wednesday, May 20th, 2009.

Kris Kuksi and Greg Simkins

This past Saturday evening, Hi-Fructose magazine presented their third annual group show, Overdose, at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica. Dailydujour had the pleasure of taking in the opening – here’s our belated show coverage including plenty of photos.  Offering a vivid and broad overview of low brow, pop surrealist, and new contemporary art the show featured some of the most exciting talents working today including Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins (above), KMNDZ, Chris Berens, Kris Kuksi (above),  Josh Keyes,  Yosuke Ueno, Naoto Hattori, Yoskay Yamamoto, Eric Fortune, Bob Dob, and more.

The evening also served as a release party/signing for the Hi-Fructose Collected Edition box set which includes 5 art prints.  Several artists were on-hand to sign for collectors including Brandi Milne, Greg Simkins, Joe Ledbetter, and photographer extradordinaire Brian McCarty.

Overdose runs through April 25th – if you can check it out in person, if not there’s always the complete online preview.