Lights Out Beach City: Art anthem of summer 2012

Introducing 14 years of works by the artist Ben Brough
Opening Night on Cinco de Mayo
Saturday, May 5, 2012, 6-9pm
Musical guest Dano Forte

About the art: Ben Brough’s new solo show features works from six feet in size to 2.5×2.5-inches. Presented as loud thoughts and after thoughts derived from nomadic journals kept from 1998-2012, Lights Out Beach City expands on the highly vagrant work over fourteen years using space, color, cartooning, collage, and painting techniques. Screeching imagery of food, music, coastal living, cinema, sex and landscapes in styles and mediums selected to clash by intention. Using mediums “found within arm’s reach” and presenting the show in a space as imagined, designed and installed by Brough, the viewer will be presented with a raucous landscape that brings to mind the fast and hard-edged DIY ethic only ever found lurking in the deepest subcultures of youth and punk rock.

Says the artist:  “I wanted to put everything out there. Moving around has always been a way of life, and 1998 is the year I started really spending a lot of time abroad and recording images and enjoying it. I have always worked in different styles and I wanted to see them together in one room at one time. The fast-paced consumerist lifestyle mixed with the richness of the laid-back surf history here, I’ve grown to see the great qualities of California.”

Show runs May 3-26, 2012. Come check it out.

Last week AR4T Gallery owner Torrey Cook went up to the city by the bay for a little self-guided walking tour. Luckily the sun was shining and it was a beautiful 70 degree spring day!! Of course there is so much to see and do but the day went like this…

First stop at Cain Schulte Gallery to see David Buckingham art. The space is wonderful – big bright windows just a few steps off Union Square – but a little stuffy unless you look like money. Strolled by Spoke Art (was just a little too early & they were closed) on the way to White Walls and Shooting Gallery. Paul Chatem at Shooting Gallery was great, but Michael Page’s large oil paintings were what I came up to see and they were well worth the entire trip. Characters living between worlds of the masters and contemporary street jumped straight off the canvas, brilliant colors pulling on strings of emotions long buried. Michael Page is constantly pushing forward and Elan Vital a show not to miss. But then again, Justin, Tova and the White Walls / Shooting Gallery / 941 team have been consistently bringing shows to SF that are each better than the next. This team works hard!! They do a great job and that’s why they are the best.

Tova pointed me in the direction of Hemlock Alley where Herakut was working on a mural before their Saturday opening at 941 Geary. A fly on the wall, I got to snap a few photos and say hello – and I was fortunate to meet the people of Wall Space SF – a team that works with building owners and the city to procure wall space for artists to use.

After a quick stop at The Luggage Store to see Chad Hasegawa’s bears, I walked up to FIFTY24SF Gallery (closed) and was directed by the good folks of Upper Playground toward a new mural by the legendary bay area artist Sam Flores – amazing. (Sam… please come back and show more. The art world needs you!!)

Last few stops at Needles and Pens to see what was new, Clarion Alley to add a sticker, and end of the day a famous mojito from Cha Cha Cha on Mission at 19th.

Till next time SF!!

More photos on Facebook

Surfer’s Eyes Photography is so kind to give us a sneak peek of KALM’s new work:

View the rest of the images (taken at Karlee’s home studio in Aus. April 21, 2012) here – Surferseyes.com

“This morning Kuni dropped into Karlee Mackie’s home art studio where she was filming for Rush TV. The program will be airing later in the year, on ABC3 in Australia. The Art Karlee worked on during the shoot will be displayed at her first overseas solo exhibition on June 30 at AR4T in Laguna Beach, California…”

Coming this May AR4T Gallery presents Lights Out Beach City, Ben Brough’s new solo show, presented as loud thoughts and after thoughts derived from nomadic journals kept from 1998-2012. Opens May 5, 2012.

Here are 4 Questions with the artist:

1. Will this show touch on your life of travel?
BB: Yes, definitely. I spent a great deal of my youth on the move and truly loved the different places I ended up in. No matter what, it’s influenced me wherever I was – that bar in San Sebastian Spain, getting a new surfboard in west Australia or hanging out on Catalina Island.

2. Why is AR4T the right gallery setting for this show and what are you going to do with it?
BB: Because the ocean is across the street and it’s Lights Out Beach City … I’m going to cover the space with paintings, collages, drawings and some empty wine bottles with the goal of making it all have a nice visual ring to it and making the moment pleasing to all who attend.

3. How does the California landscape influence your work?
BB: California has it all. I do miss Hawaii where I grew up, but you can go from the desert to the beach to the mountains and so many hidden gems all with the greatest of ease in California. The fast-paced consumerist lifestyle mixed with the richness of the laid-back surf history here, I’ve grown to see the great qualities of California.

4. Why delve back to 1998 for your work in this show?
BB: I wanted to put everything out there and somewhat behind me, kind of like an art cleanse. I like to work in different styles usually, and I wanted to see them all together in one room at one time. 1998 is the year I started really spending a lot of time abroad and recording images and fucking off on a professional level and enjoying life. Most of the work prior to this in inaccessible because it’s either with owners or destroyed.

Upcoming Russ Pope Solo Show April 5-28, 2012: Tax Included. Opening Reception Thurs. April 5, 2012 6-9pm. Here is a Q and A with the artist!

Q. What is the meaning behind he show’s title Tax Included?
Russ Pope: April is tax month. You’ll see some medium/large sized paintings on canvas, drawings on archival papers, 3 and 2-D painted wood pieces with acrylic paint, ink and aerosol paint.  Social commentary, tax info. Some installed pieces, those will be the wooded 3-D pieces.

Q: What kind of impact did winning Best Visual Artist of 2010 from OC Weekly have over the past year in 2011? Did it create any changes?
RP: It was a really nice gesture, happy to be included.

Q: What’s a common question that younger artists ask you, and what’s your advice for them?
RP: Two frequently asked questions are: “How do you find the time to produce so much work?” and “How do I go about showing my work?” You don’t find time, you take or make the time to produce work, is my answer on the first question. The answer to the second is more complicated. A big part of showing your work is based on relationships you have or need to have with galleries.

Q: How is 2012 shaping up for you? In addition to this show, what else do you have coming up?
RP: I have another solo show later in the year at Space 1026 in Philadelphia.  A mural project in L.A. and a 3 man show in S.F. that I’m curating and painting for.

When Dennis McNett makes plans to come to your school, do not be late on signing up and miss out. Thanks to Boys and Girls Club Art Director, Emily Murray, 30 boys and girls from the club got to spend two afternoons with Dennis making the most epic masks EVER. Day one… forming the shape of the wolfbat zombie dragon wizard masks to wherever the imagination took them. Day two.. decorating the cardboard bones with multi colored paper skin and scales that Dennis shipped out from NY. Kids and parents alike said it was hands down one of the most fun projects to date. Thanks Dennis! And thanks to Vans from bringing him all the way from Brooklyn.

Day One Install.

We want to say a HUGE thank you to Vans for helping us bring Dennis McNett to California. Last week Dennis packed a large crate and sent it in the mail attn Vans/AR4T – today the Cooks went to pick it up. Dennis arrived at 6pm and it’s on. Stay tuned for more installation photos in the days to come.

Wandering the Vans HQ in search of the crate

McNett Found in the Vans HQ Gallery...

Found the crate.

Didn't quite fit in the box truck...

unpacked and taking everything home....

Made it! More photos on instagram... #ar4t

Coming soon! Very excited for this!

Wolfbat Shamans and the Whale of Gratitude, Art by Dennis McNett: SAT. FEB. 4, 2012

1. Please introduce us to the Whale of Gratitude. What is it’s story?
Dennis McNett: The Wolfbat tribe has made its way west across North America to Laguna Beach where shamans from the tribe have gathered to invoke the Whale of Gratitude. Each year the tribe stops to reflect on fallen tribesman, opportunities they have had, new members they have connected with, pay respect to those who have paved the path before them, and express gratitude for the energy and breath of the Wolfbat spirit. We have much to be grateful for this year.

2. Share with us a little of what you have planned for kids’ art day and what gave you the idea to have a kids day.
DM: Youth are more connected with the energy and spirit of the Wolfbat. They are less connected to material things, their hearts and minds are not cluttered with paying bills, a career,  and other worries. They are more free. I will show them how to make Wolfbat tribes masks from paper mache and woodcut prints and extend an invitation to be honorary Wolfbats.

3. Very excited that you’re bringing your art to the Orange County audience for the first time. As someone who has traveled your art all over the U.S., with a handful of art shows in California, how do west coast art audiences compare to where you live and work in Brooklyn?
DM: Brooklyn is a really great home base because it has a lot of creative energy which is encouraging and motivating. However, Wolfbats can not stay stationary for too long and need to connect with a broader spectrum of souls. California has been really responsive, calming, and kind anytime the Wolfbats have flown through in the past. We are looking forward to coming out to Orange County to share some gratitude.

4. We find that metal and punk rock bands go well with art at our gallery… how has punk rock helped define your style as an artist?
DM: The graphics coming from the early 80′s skateboard and punk rock seen grabbed hold of my guts at an early age. The raw, contrasty, energetic marks and imagery were a huge influence then and I’m still inspired by it’s vitality now.

Wolfbat Shamans and the Whale of Gratitude is presented by Vans.
View Vansart.tumblr.com.