ABOUT THE ARTIST: RELIC

L.A. writer RELIC blends urban style and sensibility with renaissance-quality execution. 

Staking claim to the name in ‘87, Relic found that graffiti was the spark that ignited his creativity. He found comrades in the Second To None art crew (successors of L.A.’s first graffiti crew) who helped propel his work by providing inspiration and guidance through art and expression.

Armed with the knowledge that there could be a lucrative career in art, he enrolled at Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design.

The following years brought opportunities highlighted by the creation of murals and art for numerous motion pictures and television shows. Knowledge combined with scholastic discipline provided the necessary elements to extend his skills into art directing.

In 1996, Relic and Tempt co-founded BIGTIME: The Magazine of Urban Art & Expression. Their contributions have set industry standards, gaining BIGTIME acclaim as the “Best Graffiti Magazine” by the LA Weekly.

Relic’s work has been showcased at numerous museums and galleries, including the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Smithsonian.

Graffiti art has gained worldwide attention. It extends its hand and appeals to all people of today’s diverse culture. At the forefront of this new generation is RELIC who—for over 25 years—has propelled L.A. graffiti art to the forefront of today’s urban audience.

In August 2012, RELIC will be presenting in the Crewest Front Gallery his very first LA solo show, KUYA.  KUYA opens Saturday, August 4, 2012 and will be on view through August 28, 2012.

 

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ABOUT THE SHOW: KUYA

KUYA is the debut solo art show by Los Angeles artist RELIC. The Filipino salutation Kuya means big brother. In this newest collection of work, Relic flexes his elder status by returning to old school sensitivities relying on color and line quality to get his point across. In select pieces, he includes hidden gems hinting to his ethnic and urban heritage.

Show Info:

Opening Reception:  Saturday, August 4, 2012

From 7-10 pm

With Live Beats by DJ Phyz Ed

On view from August 4 through August 28

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ABOUT THE ARTIST: WERC

Werc was born in Ciudad Juarez, Ch. MX., and grew up in El Paso TX. Werc paints, collages and designs based on inspirations that come from urban & border culture, broad issues of labor, logos, symbols, and the nostalgic humor among immigrant cultures. He is specifically inspired by  the creative informal economies of street vendors, and the archetypal language of design. In his paintings, he explores aspects of duality and the politics of identity, hunting and gathering documentation & found objects that later become part of his creations.

Werc's murals can be seen around southern California, and throughout the United States and Mexico. His studio-based works have been exhibited in numerous galleries, the Snite Museum, Museum of Monterrey, and are part of the Cheech Marin Chicano Art Collection.

In August 2012, Werc will be presenting in the Crewest Main Gallery his very first LA solo show, MYTHOGRAFF.  MYTHOGRAFF opens Saturday, August 4, 2012 and will be on view through August 28, 2012.

For more info about this artist, visit WERC online by clicking here.

 

ABOUT THE SHOW: MYTHOGRAFF

MYTHOGRAFF, Werc's first solo show in Los Angeles, presents a continuous exploration of myth culture, consumerism, rituals, archetypal language and design. Werc has been spraying for 20 years and has grown in a journey with the medium by exploring, and deconstructing the spray paint to reinvent his own practice. Traditionally in spray-painting it is all about "can control," by creating artwork that is precise, defined, and clean. This is evident in Werc's "Axis Mundi" series, where he pushes the boundaries of the medium by creating photo-realistic portraits. Through his exploration of refined definition, Werc explores the opposite spectrum of control. In the "Ojo de Dios" series Werc frees himself & the medium with a loose and unrefined spraying technique, where he allows the spray paint to speak its natural language. Created with minimal immediate spray-paint strokes, the pieces are raw perceptual renditions refined by the eye of the viewer, not the medium.

The show will also feature Werc's classic style of multimedia collage, where he playfully re-appropriates commonly consumed logos to create new associations. In all of Werc's pieces there is a sense of magical realism, a hybrid existence of reality where there is a balance between the material world co-existing with the elements of the ethereal. 

Show Info:

Opening Reception:  Saturday, August 4, 2012

From 7-10 pm

With Live Beats by DJ Phyz Ed

On view from August 4 through August 28

YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED DASH "2000" FIDEL

We are very shocked and sorry to say that artist Dash "2000" Fidel passed away in his sleep after battling cancer on Sunday, January 9th, 2010. The news of his passing hit the hearts of many as he was well known within the art community for his friendship, talent and cutting edge signature style pieces.



Dash "2000" Fidel had shown at the gallery many times over the years. His last piece he had on display at the gallery was in October during the Faces of Skid Dow exhibition which was a benefit for the homeless living on Skid Row. Dash was considered not only a friend of the gallery but a talented artist with a promising future.

We send all our love and support to the family, friends and the UTI crew.

Respectfully,
Crewest

(Photos above by Eriberto Oriol www.forbiddenartla.com)





Artwork by Dash "2000" Fidel



The famous Los Angeles Print by Dash "2000" Fidel









Dash's famous lamps






















LINK TO FLICKR PAGE OF DASH "2000" FIDEL

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