Character Assassination show by David Choe at FIFTY24SF

This should be a really great show, I wish I was in town for it.

FIFTY24SF Gallery Presents “Character Assassination”
New Works by David Choe

One of the most diverse and prolific artists working today, David Choe combines American and Asian pop culture, graphic novels, and cityscapes to produce some of the most dynamic work and explosive work of his generation.

His often lewd expressions of the female form are honest appreciations of the male/female sexual interaction. Erratic brushwork and wild compositions convey a superficial sense of anarchy while the delicate and exotic portraits betray chaos, revealing a passionate love of women. In Choe’s work, discordance and serenity exist in impossible harmony. His paintings are testament to the fact that the gritty and the offensive are often necessary constituents of raw beauty.

David’s disinterest in social approval allows him to exist in a realm of indulgence. Whether painting murals, canvases, or quick street pieces, the raw honesty element drives deep into the psyche of the viewer.  A subliminal stirring of still waters, his paintings are engaging in a way that cannot always be justified as simply, aesthetically pleasing.

A seasoned globetrotter, David Choe’s murals cover walls from his native Los Angeles to Vietnam. His fine art has seen exhibitions in London, Beijing, Los Angeles, New York, and San Franciso. His intricate brush strokes and characters have made their way into commercial projects as well, working with Marvel Comics, Levis, and Nike. His art, photos, and writing have been featured in Giant Robot, Hustler, Juxtapoz, and Vice magazines. He also self-published three comic/journals: Bruised Fruit, Cursiv and Slow Jams. Most recently, he was featured in the documentary about his work “Dirty Hands.”

“Character Assassination” features new works on display at FIFTY24SF Gallery February 5 – March 24, 2010.  The opening reception will be on Friday, February 5th from 7:00PM – 9:30PM.

The Barnstormers come to NYC in March

According to The World’s Best Ever, The Barnstormers, David Ellis’ art collective, has a show at Joshua Liner opening March 18th. Should be really great.

Here are just some of the artists in the show:
Alex Lebedev, Alice Mazorra, Bluster One, Che Jen, Chris Mendoza, Chuck Webster, David Ellis, Dennis McNett, Doze Green, GION, Guillermo Carrion, James Lynch, Joey Garfield, Jose Parla, Kenji Hirata, Kiku Yamaguchi, KR, MADSAKI, Manny Pangilinan (WELLO), Martin Mazorra, Maya Hayuk, Mikal Hameed, Mike Houston, Mike Ming, Miyuki Pai Hirai, Naomi Kazama, Pema Brush, Romon Kimin Yang (Rostarr), Shie Moreno, Swoon, West One, Yuri Shimojo and more.

Vote for The Art Street Journal to win some cash

The next issue of The Art Street Journal, Elisa Carmichael’s free art newspaper, is on it’s way to thousands of people around the world. You can sign up to get your own copy mailed to your home on TASJ’s website. Issue 7 features everything you see on the cover plus much more including Roa and Stormie Mills.

Those who already read TASJ know what a great project it is, but just because the journal is free to subscribers doesn’t mean it’s free to write, print and post… That’s why TASJ is asking for your help in winning a $50,000 grant from Pepsi. All you have to do is vote.

Here’s some more info:

The Art Street Journal (tasj) is a monthly art publication focused on talented, young, emerging artists who are gaining momentum in galleries, participating in public events and completing personal projects of note. Our goal is to support and publicize their endeavors to as many people as possible. We do this by attending and covering shows, events, art fairs, auctions, interviewing artists and collectives, and reviewing publications and films for those who want to gain further knowledge. tasj is different from other art publications because it is free. People can sign up for a free annual subscription. We mail copies to anyone anywhere in the world. We also do not compromise our content by accepting money from galleries or artists to place them in the paper. The art people read about is the art we believe is important and makes a difference. Deliverables: 20,000 copies of a 20 page full color art journal every month delivered around the world for the next six months.

How will the 50K be Used?

$18,000 – Printing 20,000 copies of 20 page full-color tabloid-style newspaper
$30,000 – Monthly distribution and postage for 20,000 copies
$2000 – Miscellaneous office expenses and production costs

So if you think that sound like a good project (I do), just vote for it online. It only takes a few seconds.

TAKI 183 goes to auction

I hate to do this, but every once in a while, I have to be a bit negative on Vandalog. The above painting is by graffiti legend Taki 183. It is an original painting and measures 140x140cm. How much do you think that is worth? And keep in mind that on Taki’s own website, you can buy screenprints that include a large spraypainted “Taki 183” tag for $250.

That painting is in an upcoming graffiti art auction at Pierre Bergé & Associés. The estimate is €35-50,000. That is absurd, laughable even. I’ll admit that unlike Taki 183’s screenprints (one of which I own and love by the way), this painting is actually aesthetically pleasing, but that doesn’t excuse this outrageous estimate. Even though that’s just an estimated price, it’s also a suggestion and gives potential buyers a general idea of what somebody else thinks the piece is worth. The estimate is especially relevant since Taki 183’s original works have never been sold publicly before. If this painting ends up selling, well, kudos to Taki 183 and the auction house, and if they buyer would like to contact me, well I’ve got a few Mr. Brainwash pieces to sell (okay if Mr. Brainwash turns out to be Banksy or something, boy I am going to have egg on my face)… But I can’t see it selling for anywhere near that estimate.

Now, to end this post on a positive note, let me say that if you don’t have a Taki 183 screenprint, it’s definitely something worth checking out. That prints are pretty affordable, and they are undoubtedly pieces of graffiti history.

Poster Boy tribute to Howard Zinn

Poster Boy recently put up this memorial to Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922 – January 27, 2010).

It may have seemed that PB hasn’t been doing much on the streets recently, but he has in fact been working very hard on a big project that is soon to be unveiled. I won’t say any more, but if you’re a fan of Poster Boy’s courageous activism art, you’ll be very excited when more is announced.

In the meantime, check out past Poster Boy work here.

– Elisa

KR/Krink on Current.tv

KR, creator of the KRINK line of inks, is a controversial figure in the graffiti world, but I still generally like what he does (even if the idea of selling paint-filled fire extinguishers is a bit much). Here’s a bio about KR from Current.tv.