Thursday, November 15, 2012

Dee Dee Ramone : A Memorial Exhibition



Dee Dee Ramone 
A Memorial Exhibition


During the dates of October 26th to November 17th, 2012. Subliminal Projects art gallery located in the Echo Park part of Los Angeles and home to Shepard Fairey and Obey is hosting an exhibition of the artwork of Dee Dee Ramone. This exhibition commemorates the 10th Anniversary of Dee Dee's death and celebrates the influence of this enigmatic rock icon and his contribution to the punk rock movement.

Dee Dee is best known as the bassist, songwriter and one of the founding members of the legendary American punk rock band, The Ramones. His love of the visual arts and his boundless imagination inspired an ongoing series of paintings he created throughout his lifetime. Dee Dee's works are eccentric and some featured a comedic aesthetic while others drawl a connection to Andy Warhol's Pop-Art and Basquiat's street scrawls.

For this memorial exhibition, Subliminal Projects has teamed up with the artist's estate to present a body of Dee Dee's original works, on display for the first time in North American. These rare paintings were recently recovered on behalf of Dee Dee's estate. Collected in an effort to preserve Dee Dee's multifaceted legacy. 

On addition to the work of Dee Dee Ramone, Shepard Fairey released a print based off the selected images provided by Dee Dee's estate. This print is available for purchase, along with a print of Dee Dee's "Untitled" (Self Portrait) 2002. As a way to further honor what Dee Dee contributed to other and a music movement during his lifetime, a portion of proceeds from sales of the "Untitles (Self Portrait) print will be donated to the Los Angeles Food Bank in Dee Dee's honor. 


Below are selected shots of this memorial exhibition:


 Dee Dee Ramone : A Memorial Exhibition

 "Untitled" (Self Portrait) 2002


 




















































 Rubylith version of Shepard Fairey's Dee Ramone

 Dee Dee Ramaone by Shepard Fairey









To learn more about Dee Dee Ramone, his life, music & art, please visit:

To learn more about Subliminal Projects, featured artists & upcoming exhibits, please visit:

To learn more about Shepard Fairey and propaganda world of OBEY, please visit:

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Hello Kitty Hello Art! - Gallery Show & Book Release


Hello Kitty : Hello Art!
Gallery Art Show & Book Release


This past October 14th, 2012 from 1-6pm. Known Gallery, LA's top premier street art gallery and home of The Seventh Letter got together with Sanrio and unleashed a one day pop-up event at it's location in the Fairfax Market. Hello Kitty Hello Art! is a gallery art show and book release inspired and based on the beloved characters of Hello Kitty and Sanrio. Entire new works by some of the major top players in the contemporary and street art world took center stage at this one day pop-up event. Known Gallery main room was transformed in into a world of Hello Kitty through the eyes of "POSE". A well-known Los Angeles graffiti street artist and member of famed crews: The Seventh Letter and MSK. POSE is also the cover artist for the new Hello Kitty Hello Art! book by Roger Gastman by Abrams Books which was released at this show.

The back room was dedicated to other various artists who participated in this Hello Kitty extravaganza. Some of the artist included were: 64 Colors, Adam Wallacavage, AIKO, Caia Koopman, DABS MYLA, Kenton Parker, Niagara, RISK, Shepard Fairey (Obey), Simone Legno and many more. 

The auxiliary back room was open as well and provided the shop aspect of the event. Where show goers could purchase the Hello Art! book, limited edition screen prints and exclusive artist tees by The Seventh Letter. Some of these items are still available from Sanrio.com as well. 

In addition to all of this, about a dozen of the featured artists were available and on-hand to graciously signed copies of the new Hello Art! book. Some of the artists for the meet and greet were: POSE, Roger Gastman, DABS MYLA, RISK, Mr. Toast, Shark Toof, Adam Wallacavage, Tim Diet, Kenton Parker, Deph, Gary Baseman & Andrew Brandou. The book which is over 200 pages features art from a plethora of artists. All that were listed above as well as Shepard Fairy of OBEY, Buff Monster, Ron English, Luke Chueh, AIKO, CRASH, Niagara and many many more.

Since this was a one day event, there was an over whelming response and turn out. With doors opening at 1:00 pm, by 1:30pm the line was a block and a half long. Extending around the corner of Rosewood stopping just short of The Hundreds Fairfax location. With most of these artists being from the contemporary, street art and graffiti world, there was really something for everyone, young & old, male or female at this show. Although with the wait time tipping into the multiple hours, the overall wait of show was worth it in my eyes and I enjoyed to get a chance to meet some of these fantastic artists that most of us have admired for many years now.


 Below are selected shots from this one day pop-up Hello Kitty event:


MAIN ROOM:

Hello Kitty x POSE


 "Wet Paint"


Various "Two 4 One" 
12" x 12" acrylic on clayboard




"Hello Fishy" 
30" x 40" acrylic and spray paint

"Cruisin" 
36" x 48" acrylic and spray paint

 
 "Doll" 
36" x 48" acrylic and spray paint
 
 "Beach Party" 
36" x 48" acrylic and spray paint
 
"Hello Bloomers" 
36" x 48" acrylic and spray paint

 "Hello Paint #2" 
30" x 40" acrylic and spray paint
 
 "Hello Paint #1" 
30" x 40" acrylic and spray paint
 
A photo op with Miss Hello Kitty


 "Hello Kitty was here!"


 "HELLO POSE"


Hello Kitty x POSE


 Girlfriend can get down


No drips...


 Hello Kitty in abstraction 


Hello Kitty in abstraction


 Sanrio Supermarket Signs
28" x 20" sign ink on poster board


BACK ROOM:


by "RISK"


 "East Meets West in Neon"
by "RISK"
 
 "East Meets West"
by "RISK"

 "Small Gift Miami Mask Instillation Detail"
by Anthony Lister 

"Small Gift Miami Mask Instillation Detail"
by Anthony Lister

 "Hello Kitty Pink Chandelier" (also in White) 45" x 52" diameter
by Adam Wallacavage
 
"Hello Kitty" 18" x 24" acrylic on wood
by DABS MYLA

 "Hello Kitty"
by Camilla d' Errico

 "Hello Kitty"
by Niagara 

"Hello Kitty"
by Tokidoki

 "Astro Kitty" 32" x 48" acrylic on wood
by "64 Colors"

"Hello Kitty Block Party" 
72" x 72" mixed media on canvas
by AIKO
 "Getting Up"


 "Ghetto Blaster"


 "B Girl"


 "Hello Kitty NYC"




 "Untitled" 18" x 24" Screen Print
Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Limited Edition Screen Prints that were for sale
by Tokidoki, Shepard Fairey & Dabs Myla

 "Risk Rock" signing books

 
 Main floor Captain "POSE" signing a book


"Deph" busting a doodle 


 Special appearance by Hello Kitty!


"Hello Kitty Hello Art!" book
Curated by Roger Gastman and out by Abrams books

One day pop-up event




To learn more about Known Galley, featured artists and upcoming exhibits, please visit:

To learn more of Sanrio, it's products and the world of Hello Kitty, please visit: