“We Was Them Kids …” Group Exhibition, Opens Nov. 11

“We Was Them Kids …”
Group Exhibition

Kevin Lyons
Parra
Geoff McFetridge
Matt Irving
Winston Tseng
Yogi Proctor
Charles Munka
Brent Rollins
Alvaro Ilizarbe

A collection of works from friends of the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery.

Curated by Tyler Gibney

Opening Friday, Nov. 11th, 7pm to 10pm
Exhibition runs through Dec. 20th, 2011

rsvp to: WeWasThemKids@hvw8.com

Thanks to Bushmills, Vantage and PBR.

Press Release

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave. L.A. Ca 90036

Hours: Tues to Sun, 1 – 6pm
www.hvw8.com
323 655 4898

Over the past four years, the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery has hosted a variety of exhibitions and performances at its West Hollywood location, ranging from internationally acclaimed street artist Anthony Lister (July 2011) to musical performances with Snoop Dogg and Dam-Funk (Feb. 2011).

With “We Was Them Kids …”, HVW8 curator Tyler Gibney pulls together some of the finest contemporary artist/ designers to have exhibited at the HVW8 Gallery in recent years.

Works range from Amsterdam resident Parra’s post-pop imagery of highly saturated colors, vibrant hand-drawn letters and worlds inhabited by hybrid, surreal characters to Geoff McFetridge’s communicative pieces in sculpture, drawing and design that echo with humor and insight. Yogi Proctor proliferates decoys. These works span a variety of mediums, appearances, and approaches, de-stablizing notions of “originality” and “artist” with wit and agility.

From Brooklyn, Kevin Lyons brings his sharp tongue together with sharpie, stepping away from his A-List clientele as Creative Director of the internationally known ad agency Anomoly, to have some fun with his madhouse of characters and type. Complex Magazine Art Director, Brent Rollins (best known for his Boyz In The Hood and Mo Better Blues logos as well as being one of the creators of Ego Trip) continues his visual relationship between design and music, while Miami’s Alvaro Ilizarbe’s work explores space, energy, and tension through hypnotizing large scale black and white patterns. 

Winston Tseng and Matt Irving depart from their skateboard and design backgrounds with original work, and French born/Hong Kong resident Charles Munka (well known in Los Angeles for his work with Flying Lotus) brings his post graffiti stylings to round out this exhibition. HVW8 Art + Design Gallery is proud to present this international set of artists and designers, whom, like Parra after his 2012 SF MOMA exhibition, might not be as accessible in an intimate gallery setting in the near future.

Exhibition Site

 

Exhibition Print

One Way or Another, Opening Saturday, May 29th

MONDAY, May 24th 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

“One Way or Another”
Currated by Isaac McKay-Randozzi and Sandro Grison

There have been countless exhibitions of the art inspired by skateboard culture. Decks and shoes adorned with the paint splatter from our favorite skaters from yesteryear. Showing that not only does skateboarding breed creativity, but with it astounding prowess. In recent years professional skaters such as Ed Templeton, Jason Lee, Mark Gonzales, Chris Pastras and Jason Adams have carved their own ways into the world of art with favorable reviews.  Now and for the first time ever Color Magazine brings together the artists who make up the skateboarding world today, as we see it. Representing the wide spectrum of the industry, these artists come together for the pure love of a skate-trip.

Greg PNut Galinsky (Vans), Andrew Pommier (Momentum Wheels, RVCA), Michael Leon (Commonwealth Stacks), Mark ‘Fos’ Foster (Herion Skateboards/Altamont Clothing), Todd Bratrud (High 5/Nike), Ben Horton (Slave Skateboards), Donny Miller (Vans/Skate Mental), Michael Sieben (Volcom/Roger) and Mat O’Brien(Krooked/SLAP) will be traveling from around the country and the U.K. tothree cities showing the wonderful and inspirational work they do. Others like Dennis McNett (Anti-Hero/Vans), Travis Millard (Fudge Factory Comics),Geoff McFetridge (Solitary Arts/Girl), Andy Jenkins (Girl), Matt
Irving(adidas, Delphi), and Eric Anthony (4 Star Clothing/Girl) are contributing art for these one-night shows starting in Los Angeles at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery, then Escapist in Kansas City, MO ending at the No Comply Skate Shop in Austin, TX.

SHOWS:

Saturday, May 29 (7 – 10 pm)
HVW8 Art + Design Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave.
L.A., Ca 90036
323 655 4898

Opening night Photos HERE.

Exhibition photos HERE.

Friday, June 4 (6-11pm)
Escapist
405 Southwest Blvd.
Kansas City, Mo 64153
816 842 2504

Monday, June 7 (6-11pm)
No Comply
812 W. 12th St.
Austin, TX 78701
512 804 0472

“One Way or Another will feature some of the most talented folks in the skateboarding industry. Each artist involved is donating their valuable time, skill and resources to inspire the next generation of creators.”
– co-curator Isaac McKay-Randozzi.

During the tour they will be camping out, skating local spots and cavorting with each community on the most grass roots level.

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Eric Anthony, Todd Bratrud, Mark Fos Foster, Greg Pnut Galinsky,
Ben Horton, Matt Irving, Andy Jenkins, Michael Leon,
Geoff Mcfetridge, Travis Millard, Donny Miller, Mat O’Brien,
Dennis McNett, Andrew Pommier, Michael Sieben

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These are the artists behind the brands, making the graphics for companies that have inspired us for many years. The premise of this group show serves to reconnect these artists with what got them where they are at in the first place: their skateboards. With support from Vans shoes, on May 28th they trade in their comfortable studios and desks for a snug ride in a van (generously provided by Volcom clothing) with over 100 pieces of art, a dozen skateboards and camping gear to embark on a classic skate-trip across
part of America. Bringing one-night-only art shows to L.A., Kansas City, and Austin.

“The unique thing about this group is that they are widely known for their art and work for skateboard companies and little known [due mostly to their own authority] for their action on their skateboards.”

ABOUT CONTRIBUTOR:
Working with non-profit organizations, Contributor aims to provide “skateboards for all” underprivileged and at risk youth in lower-income neighborhoods. Their mission is to encourage successful outcomes through the addition of skateboarding as a positive reinforcement.
http://www.wearecontributors.com

PRESS CONTACT:

Morgan Pharoh
morgan@rawmaterialcom.com
714 791 0777

http://www.rawmaterialcom.com