STRANGE FRUIT BY DATE FARMERS @ FIFTY24SF GALLERY - 2009

September 03, 2009 in DATE FARMERS, SOLO SHOW, SCULPTURE

FACES OF LIFE BY ELMAC @ FIFTY24SF GALLERY - 2009

August 06, 2009 in EL MAC, SOLO SHOW

REVERBERATIONS BY CHE JEN & KENJI HIRATA @ FIFTY24SF GALLERY - 2009

June 04, 2009 in CHE JEN & KENJI HIRATA

“Reverberations” is an exhibition featuring new works by Che Jen and Kenji Hirata, both members of the infamous “Barnstormers.”

Che Jen is a Brooklyn-based painter from South Korea, who was raised in Brooklyn. Growing up in Brooklyn and the Lower East Side in the 1970s “defined the visual abstractions that are incorporated into my being and permeates my personality and my work.” Her newest works are a reflection of her subconsciousness, a manifestation of the process in which ideas are born. Che Jen has shown around the world in Milan, London, Tokyo and all over the United States, and has been featured in many publications.

Kenji Hirata is a New York-based painter from Nagasaki, Japan. His works are influenced by the Buddhist idea that “emptiness is everything eternal.” In his paintings, he fuses together the five natural elements of water, fire, metal, wood and soil, creating compositions that are dense, yet have open space. Hirata is inspired by nature, and his vibrant pieces reference Jamaican dance hall sound systems, sci-fi futurism, billboards and hand painted signage of South East Asia. From public murals, small canvases and animated works for film, Kenji Hirata is an innovative member of the contemporary art and film community.

VEILED BEAUTY BY HUSH @ FIFTY24SF GALLERY - 2009

April 02, 2009 in HUSH, SOLO SHOW

Veiled Beauty is a solo exhibition by Hush, a graphic designer and illustrator from the U.K. Hush is an urban artist who worked in Hong Kong for a number of years as a graphic designer/illustrator before returning to the UK. His popularity is soaring, with sell out shows in London and Los Angeles, along with high profile street pieces, sold out print runs and collaborations. Influenced by various facets of modern culture, he is inspired by graphic-novels, animation, graphic-design, graffiti art, urban art and contemporary painting. He’s known for his portrayal of female Manga characters juxtaposed with his mixed media layering techniques utilizing screen print, spray paint and multi-levels of paper. The confluence of East meets West, destruction meets construction, and classic versus contemporary style, all leave the viewer feeling the same conflicts and energy that his work embodies.Hush has worked as a graphic designer, illustrator and art director in London, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Hong Kong where he worked for a few of the largest toy companies in the world. His work has been featured in numerous selected exhibitions in London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Edinburgh and Newcastle.

MAGIC TRICK BY ANTHONY LISTER @ FIFTY24SF GALLERY - 2009

February 05, 2009 in ANTHONY LISTER, SOLO SHOW

“Magic Trick”

Anthony Lister’s creations are described as brilliant, broken and abstracted figural works depicting the darker side of both heroes and villains. His fractured renderings place them as imperfect and exaggerated, post-post-modern opposites to how they were conceived – as symbols of modernist humanism. Lister’s work is a reflection and interpretation of the constant bombardment of media, and its relationship with the viewer. His mixed media technique of utilizing various types of paint, from spray paint to watercolor to acrylics, gives his work a depth that has made him one of the most sought-after contemporary artists today.

Lister has had solo and group exhibitions around the world and has received numerous awards including the Mosman Art Prize (2006), Prometheus Art Award (2005) and Metro 5 Award. He and his work have been featured in international publications including Arktip, Lino Magazine, Overspray Magazine, Oyster Magazine, The New York Times, among many others.

SEEING THINGS BY GREG 'CRAOLA' SIMKINS @ FIFTY24SF GALLERY - 2009

February 05, 2009 in GREG CRAOLA SIMKINS, SOLO SHOW

“Seeing Things”

Simkins began drawing at an early age and started doing graffiti under name Craola. Graffiti art became his impetus for creating and gave him the confidence to paint large works. In addition, it taught him perspective, color theory and further developed artistic skills, which later translated into his work with acrylics. His outlandish dreamt of characters are part of a fantasy sideshow, inspired by elements from pop culture, the old masters, nature, carnival kitsch and most importantly, a warped imagination. It is the careful weaving of these elements that makes Greg Simkins a sought after surrealist painter today.

Simkins’ work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions and has successfully sold out five solo exhibitions. His art is seen in a wide variety of industries from clothing to video games and has also come to life in the form of toys. His client/collaboration list includes Disney, Mattel, Upper Playground, Juxtapoz, To Die For, Vans, Converse, AFI, Saosin, Gym Class Heroes, Pennywise, STRANGEco, Ningyoushi, Kid Robot, Zero Friends, Epitaph, Dark Horse, Iron Fist and Pulse International.

LETTERS FROM DIGESTED CHILDREN BY ALEX PARDEE @ FIFTY24SF GALLERY - 2009

January 09, 2009 in ALEX PARDEE, SOLO SHOW

“Letters from Digested Children”

In “Letters From Digested Children,” Alex Pardee pays homage to the children who are eaten by monsters. Alex states: Each year, thousands of children turn up missing. Some are found. But most, unfortunately, are not. Many of the children are victims of abduction, some are runaways, and a large handful of them . . . have been EATEN by monsters.

Mythographic Vicissitudes by Ron English @ FIFTY24SF GALLERY - 2009

January 09, 2009 in RON ENGLISH, SOLO SHOW

“Mythographic Vicissitudes”

For “Mythographic Vicissitudes,” Ron created a series of paintings based on variations on modern mythologies. Applying a sense of reverence to his patented mash of religion, history and art, English gives equal weight to all mythologies, from Jesus to Bigfoot to Expressionism. “Loch Ness Starry Night” depicts the emergence of the monster as seen through the eyes of Vincent Van Gogh.

THE GHOSTS OF THE BARBARY COAST BY JEREMY FISH @ FIFTY24SF GALLERY - 2008

December 05, 2008 in JEREMY FISH 2008, JEREMY FISH, SOLO SHOW

San Francisco in the Barbary Coast days of the 1850s was a crazy place. The once sleepy town's population exploded almost overnight as it was flooded with all kinds, here to make their fortunes in whatever way they could. Prospectors, prostitutes, sailors, businessmen, criminals, hatchet men, preachers, and entertainers all had their stories to tell and their reasons for being there.

In preparation for his upcoming show, "The Ghosts of the Barbary Coast" at Fifty24SF Gallery, Mr. Fish has done his homework. Basing his collection of work on true stories from San Francisco's history, he conjures up the spirits of the rowdy, ruthless, insane, and notorious characters that populated the City's seedy past and re-tells their fascinating and often shocking stories to a new audience. Fish also explores parallels between the Gold Rush of '49 with the modern booms and busts of marijuana farming in the 1970s and the dot coms of the 1990s. Highlights of this collection include a series of tightly-executed and well-researched paintings along with amazing three-dimensional wood pieces. Fish plans to bring some real Barbary Coast style to his opening reception with a Gold Rush-style saloon, complete with grizzly bear. What better way to pay tribute to the folks who paved the way and established San Francisco's independent and rebellious reputation?