GROWING BUZZ OF STREET ART BIZ SAYS KCET

The Growing Buzz of Street Art Biz

by Ed Fuentes

on April 19, 2012 12:10 PM


(*Partially reposted from KCET: DEPARTURES)

"Never mind restoring a Los Angeles art aesthetic. Downtown seems determined to be "The Mural Economic Capital Of The World."

After its underground beginnings during 1970s New York, the last decade has seen street art become a close working partner with entrepreneurship. In many cases that includes murals. It's a delicate balance of commentary and business fueled by pop-art populism.

First, one has to admit that ethnic-based murals sometimes keeps its distance, since most of that authorship prefer to voice the underserved. Street art, on the other hand, is about city residency and experience -- or at least visitation rights by suburbanites -- without needing an exclusive tie to ethnicity.

That broader appeal works on several levels. When it borders on the fringe of fine art in urban public space, an urgent primal coded message is found on dinged abandoned blocks, passing on a secret to those looking for it. When it's placed on a large wall, it's pointed out as public art, and in Los Angeles, part of a larger legacy.

When street art killer bees pollinate the street art movement by blogging and tweeting out global images, it creates a demand, as seen in April around downtown Los Angeles.

During Art Walk, Brit Week opened at Farmer's And Merchant's Bank to bring awareness to creativity and innovation between Britain and the U.S. This lead-in to this Summer's Olympic Games in London will have the T4C Artists Competition Closing Ceremony and Art Battle LA,billed as a live competition "between four notorious names in the London and Los Angeles street and graffiti art scenes." Los Angeles' Man One and Mear One will be pitted against UK's Inkie and Eine on Thursday, April 26, at the Continental Gallery (408 S. Spring Street) to paint on recycled furniture pieces designed by Christopher Guy.

That project shows how Los Angeles packages street art as a creative import for the city."

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY

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ALL CITY CANVAS: MEXICO CITY

We are proud supporters of this mural festival ALL CITY CANVAS taking place in Mexico City starting next week.

Check out the sick lineup of international artists taking part:


**Exclusive: We will be showing footage of all the murals created during this festival at our opening reception for "Mission Accomplished" on May 5th, so be there!


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MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

(Anniversary Logo + Flyer Designed by: SYNDROME)

Ten years ago renowned graffiti artist and Los Angeles native Man One founded Crewest Gallery in Alhambra, CA, just a few minutes east of Downtown. Crewest was founded with the mission to legitimatize graffiti art by giving talented graffiti artists a professional forum in which to showcase their art while simultaneously educating the broader art community and general public about the richness, complexity and technicality of graffiti art.

Now, in 2012, graffiti art is hot. Graffiti art is showing in museums and on television. Graffiti art is on fashion and architecture. Graffiti artists are having gallery shows and being collected all over the world. In fact, last year, one of the largest and most attended shows in the history of MOCA in Los Angeles was a graffiti art exhibit called ART IN THE STREETS, which ran from April through August in 2011 and made news worldwide.  Man One and Crewest Gallery blazed the trails that helped to make things like this possible for graffiti artists and their art form.

In the book Graffiti L.A., street art documentarian Steve Grody listed the opening of Crewest Gallery as a milestone event in the history of graffiti art in Los Angeles. 

The evidence is clear. Over the last ten years, Crewest has helped many great artists gain notoriety and a bigger audience.  These artists include Patrick Martinez, Marka27, Siner, Victor Sepulveda, Sacred194, Syndrome, Cope2, Greg "Craola" Simkins, Kofie Augustine, WERC, Mear One, Asylm, Vyal One,  T-Kid, Ces and on and on.

Established and renowned artists who have exhibited at Crewest over the years include Chaz Bojorquez, George Yepes, Syd Mead, Estevan Oriol, Eriberto Oriol, Gusmano Cesaretti and international artists such as Daim & Seak (Germany), SOT & ICY (Iranian street artists), Dabs & Myla (Australia) had their first U.S. showings at Crewest.

Artists that will show at MISSION ACCOMPLISHED in May include:

AISE, ALEX "DEFER" KIZU, BRANDED, BRON THERON, CAB, CHAZ BOJORQUEZ, DAVE KAWANO, DCYPHER, EDGAR HOILL, ERIBERTO ORIOL, EVAN ESK, EYE ONE, FLYCAT, GEORGE CLINTON, GEORGE YEPES, GONZO247, GREGG STONE, GUSTAVO ALBERTO GARCIA VACA, HASTE, HECTOR “HEX TGO” RIOS, HUIT, JOHN CARR, JUAN CARLOS "HEAVEN" MUNOZ, KOFIE, MARIA KANE, MAX NEUTRA, MEAR ONE, MICHAEL PIZARRO, MR. PUPPET, MR.WANY, OSCAR MAGALLANES, OVERTON LOYD, PABLO CRISTI, RAPTUZ, RITZY PERIWINKLE, ROME, SAHL, SAND ONE, SCOTCH, SHERM, SKET, SLOKE, CRISTIAN “SMEAR” GHEORGHIU, STEVE GRODY, STEVE MARTINEZ, STREET PHANTOM, SYNDROME, VYAL ONE, AND MORE…

In the Front Room Man One “A DECADE OF GRAFFITI SPIRITS”:

As the founder and creative director for Crewest since its inception, Man One has predicted the rise of graffiti art as a viable and collectible art form.

As part of Crewest's 10 Year Anniversary exhibition, Man One will be featuring a mini-solo exhibit in the Front Room of the gallery showing the direction of his newest body of work.

  

Show runs alongside "Mission Accomplished!" from May 5th - 27th, 2012

Important Date Info:

“Mission Accomplished” and “A Decade of Graffiti Spirits” opens to the public 

Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 7-10pm.

Artwalk event takes place Thursday, May 10, 2012.  Exhibits close on May 27, 2012

Location Info:

Crewest Gallery, 110 Winston St., Los Angeles, CA  90013, 213-627-8272, info@crewest.com.

About Crewest:  Crewest Gallery is celebrating its 10 Year Anniversary in May 2012.  Crewest Gallery caters to art that speaks to the heart, soul and mind. Its mission is to bring raw and powerful artwork to the people of Los Angeles. The purpose of Crewest is to promote gifted artists whose work may be too edgy and non-conventional for other venues. Crewest Gallery was founded in 2001 by graffiti artist Man One to provide a legitimate venue for the most talented underground artists, known and unknown, from the West Coast and beyond. From graffiti to digital art, paint to sculpture, Crewest showcases artists and exhibits that are most current, relevant and happening now. Crewest comprises 2100 sq. ft. and is located in Gallery Row, downtown Los  Angeles. Crewest is available for private events, branded entertainment and production shoots for film or television. Website:  www.crewest.com

SINERLANDIA + PAINTED BEAUTY OPENING NITE

Saturday April 7th, 2012
Two debut solo shows opened up last Saturday nite

Sinerlandia by Siner


Painted Beauty by Michael Pizarro


Peeps came out -
Chicks:




Dudes:




Art by Siner:




View all of Siner's work in the show


Art by Michael Pizarro:




View all of Michael Pizarro's work in the show


Show runs through April 29, 2012

Slideshow below + more opening nite pics on Flickr


Interested in any of the art?
Contact us:
info@crewest.com


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CREWEST GALLERY TO CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF MURALS AND MAYHEM

This was posted on KCET's blog a few days ago..check it out below or go to the direct link:

Crewest Gallery to Celebrate 10 years of Murals and Mayhem

by Ed Fuentes

on April 2, 2012 3:15 PM

Over the weekend, muralist and graffiti artist Man One tweeted out an image of César E. Chávez to note the civil rights leader's birthday on March 31. The detail came from a mural he painted that, by design, was not intended to last beyond the construction phase for the Gold Line Eastside Extension.

Looking back, it was a memorable piece -- though unfortunately temporary.

"The Four Pillars" commission was announced by Metro in April 2006, recalls Man One, aka Alex Poli. "I picked four pillars of community who were people who passed away and meant something to me."

The four sections featured Sister Karen Bocalerro, founder of Self-Help Graphics in "Faith;" slain journalist Ruben Salazar in "History," César E. Chávez in "Trabajo" (work); and Man One's grandfather Miguel Arenas, Sr., appearing in the panel "Familia" (Family).

The urban street lettering on the 20-foot high panels was the usual non-readable application, touted by Metro as an urban art style that makes the mural "relevant to the youth who viewed the walls on a daily basis." The four portraits were less an abstraction, and more pop graphic art. With animated colors, the figures watched over the corner like they belonged to the neighborhood. The simple lines allowed the faces to be visually read from across the street or from inside a moving car -- or aboard a Metro bus.

"I paint portraits the way I fill in my graff letters . . .with bold colors and odd shapes," Man One explained over the weekend. "I never use black and white."

When the Gold Line Eastside Extension neared completion, the plywood fences were removed and the portraits were salvaged by Man One. The panels that made César E. Chávez were donated to the Social Public Art and Resource Center (SPARC), and the image of Sister Karen Boccalero was sent to Self-Help Graphics. Man One still has the portraits of Salazar and of his grandfather.

Ten Years Running

"The Four Pillars" was just one project in a prolific decade for Man One. The year the mural was completed, he opened the doors to his downtown Los Angeles gallery, Crewest Gallery,originally founded in Alhambra in 2002. In May, Crewest will celebrate its tenth anniversary by mounting an exhibition aptly named "Mission: Accomplished."

After graduating with a B.A. in Fine Arts from Loyola Marymount University, he built a body of work before going through traditional channels to exhibit it. Gallery directors told him graff did not belong in their spaces, recalls Man One, now 41. "All the shows I had were in alternative spaces."

"I know this stuff is legit and will sell," he recalls telling himself and others.

Back then, some may have wondered how much aerosol fumes did he accidentally sniff when he thought of opening a gallery to showcase works from a collective of rotating street artists -- sometimes placing his own work aside -- to redefine graff art as a legitimate form of fine art with its own richness and complexity.

Ten years later, that is still the mission for the gallery that was founded to help street artists make a one-name moniker for themselves -- and even introduced a few to the art world. (Australia's Dabs & Myla had their first U.S. showings at Crewest).

Crewest is also one of the few downtown art spaces left from the first wave of galleries in the middle of the last decade, and Man One recently came to terms with Canadian Building ownership for a new lease -- plus securing the alley wall so it can be used for a revolving mural.

He has not lost his street bite. He recently completed a self-commissioned piece, "Graffiti Spirit Over City Hall," showing City Hall being raided by an unidentified figure with a spray can, a personal statement about graffiti artists who "forced themselves" into the current mural moratorium discussions about what is public art.

Former Member of the Underground

Man One being well-known as an artist almost conflicts with his street nature, that like other graffiti artists, prefer to keep an underground image and identity.

"I am surprised how many people recognize me. It's kinda weird and happens a lot of places," said Poli. "When I started doing graffiti, you didn't tell anyone who you were. It was a secret community. That changed big time over the years."

Yet, he doesn't rely on being known to move forward. He will seek out art enclaves in other cities and visit galleries and introduce himself with no presumption he's known. But fans of street artists do, and even if they don't recognize him right away, they know the name Man One.

That includes gallery owners now eager to get some street art on their walls.

In April 2012, Crewest will open "Sinerlandia" and "Painted Beauty," two small solo shows that debut Siner and Michael Pizarro, respectively. Opening reception is Saturday, April 7 from 7 to 10 p.m. It runs through through April 29.

"Mission Accomplished" showcases works from artists who have appeared at Crewest in the last decade. In the front room, a micro-solo show, "A Decade of Graffiti Spirits," features new visual directions from Man One himself. It opens Saturday, May 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. It runs through May 27.

Above: César E. Chávez in "Trabajo" from "The Four Pillars." (2006) at E. First and Soto street. Photo Courtesy of Man One.

Below: Man One painting "Graffiti Spirit Over City Hall" in March, 2012.

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PAINTED BEAUTY

Available artwork on slideshow below or click to view on Flickr:

Crewest is proud to announce Painted Beauty, the solo debut of Michael Pizzaro.  

There comes a time when you simply just cannot define beauty, 

but you must acknowledge its presence. Michael Pizzaro does just that

with his new series Painted Beauty. 

With his ability to capture beauty 

and using the slender shape of the skateboard as a canvas, Pizzaro

conveys to the viewer that not only is there the image of beauty but

 that there is a shape to it as well.

Painted Beauty opens Saturday, April 7, 2012 and will be on view through April 29, 2012.  Opening Reception from 7 to 10 pm with live beats by DJ Phyz Ed and refreshments provided by Roaring Lion and Jarritos. Painted Beauy will be open during the Downtown Artwalk on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 7 to 10pm.

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SINERLANDIA

Available artwork slideshow below or click to Flickr:

Crewest is very proud to announce Siner will be debuting his first ever solo exhibit "Sinerlandia" on April 7th, 2012 at Crewest Gallery.

The exhibit will feature original artwork which proudly echoes the Los Angeles cultural landscape and street aesthetic.

For this show, Siner exhibits both the beauty of the tag, lettering style, and character involvement which is the basis for Los Angeles graffiti. He takes the viewer on a journey through the streets of South Central Los Angeles with art based on L.A. street culture.  While both forms of art exist on the streets, whether in the form of graffiti art on the wall or in the form of everyday street life of the Angelino, Siner is allowing the viewer to take an up close look into LA’s vivid cultural heritage as he sees it.

Born and raised in Los Angeles California, Siner has become one of the most influential writers on the L.A. scene and is best known for his intricate letter structure and free form flow. In the mid 1980’s Siner and his brother Sane started writing and founded the infamous LTS (Last To Survive) crew. He was heavily influenced by L.A. street culture and the Chicano muralists. Using Aztec, Mayan, and Mexican pop culture imagery, Siner reflects what it is like to have a sense of pride in one’s self and a respect for one’s cultural heritage.

Sinerlandia opens Saturday, April 7, 2012 and will be on view through April 29, 2012.  Opening Reception from 7 to 10 pm with live beats by DJ Phyz Ed and refreshments provided by Roaring Lion and Jarritos. Sinerlandia will be open during the Downtown Artwalk on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 7 to 10pm.

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TEXAS LIFE!

Doing it big in Texas.
Damn this looks like a fun trip!



Catch Sloke and a few of these artists in our 10 Year Anniversary..Mission Accomplished!
Opens May 5th, 2012



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ARTIST TALK: OSCAR MAGALLANES

Join us on Sunday March 25th from 2-3pm and learn about the incredible work on our walls from our current show "Papel y Madera" by the artist and curator Oscar Magallanes and Self Help Graphics Program Manager Joel Garcia.

Come early to view the work and stay for the talk.
Light refreshments and drinks.

FREE and open to the public:
rsvp@crewest.com

Regular Gallery Hours:
Tue-Thur: Noon - 7pm
Fri & Sat: Noon - 8pm
Sun: Noon - 6pm
or by appointment only.
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JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE PIECE: (M 9.0)

TITLE: (M 9.0)

The title signifies the magnitude of the earthquake that shook Japan.

‘M’ is the magnitude and ‘9.0’ is the strength of the earthquake.

MATERIALS:

Mixed media - Japanese newspapers, ink, acrylic, and spray paint imported from Japan.

DESCRIPTION:

On March 11th 2011 at 4:46pm (March 10, 2011 at 09:46:23 PM for PST) near the coast of Honshu, Japan an epic disaster unfolded. The country would never be the same. 

On the other side of the Pacific Ocean Mr. Martinez saw the double destruction of the tsunami and earthquake unfold on TV. As he watched complete villages disappear and the missing numbers of people increase, he felt compelled to do something. He began compiling newspapers documenting the tragic events, using imported spray paint from Japan, Japanese paintbrushes and ink to produce as his tribute, (M 9.0) in April 2011. 

Mr. Martinez’s (M 9.0) prints were sold online and through word of mouth. The sales of the prints were donated to the relief efforts for victims of this tragic double disaster.

As a youth Mr. Martinez always dreamed of going to Japan and have always been fascinated with the culture. In 2008 he finally had the opportunity to not only visit Japan for the first time but also promote an art show/release party of his book, The Ulysses Guide to the Los Angeles River, a collaborative project with three fellow artists. GK Editions, a Japanese publishing company, published the book early 2008. The experience was not only amazing but mind blowing. It surpassed Mr. Martinez’s expectations; to put it simply he fell in love with Japan. He fell in love with the people, the food, the culture and its history. Mr. Martinez took so much from the 2008 trip that he vowed to give something back to show his solidarity with the people of Japan.

Crewest will be the first gallery to display (M 9.0)

Giclee prints on paper (32"x22") are available $180 each.

For sales inquiries on this piece or to purchase a print, please contact us:
info@crewest.com




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A WOMANS STRENGTH, ONE BLISS

In recognition of Women’s History Month and to rejoice the upcoming Lunafest whose mission is to celebrate and inspire women through the art of film and community fundraising, Man One is proud to release his newest print “One Bliss” with proceeds to benefit the Breast Cancer Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

“One Bliss” was created by Man One to show the empowerment of women and her energy, aura and movement.  The image in the print shows a woman of strength stemming from a red lotus.  “The red lotus signifies the original nature and purity of the heart . It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion and all other qualities of the heart. It is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.”- buddhanet.net. 

"One Bliss"
by Man One
18" x 24"
Printed by Two Rabbits Studios
on archival paper
Limited Edition of 50
Signed and numbered by the artist.
$40 each. 


You can purchase this print starting tonite at the gallery 
during Artwalk or online at www.crewest.com by this weekend.

For questions, please email us at info@crewest.com.

PAPEL Y MADERA: OPENING NITE PICS + ART

Click here for more event pics and to view all the art: PAPEL Y MADERA

Check out these pics of Oscar Magallanes' work and all the supporters, friends and fans that showed up.


In attendance, John Carr, El Mac, Vyal, Joel "Rage" Garcia, Raul "Frame" Gamboa, Man One, Eriberto and Angelica Oriol and Isabel Reyes to name a few.




Providing inspiration to the next generation:



Show runs through April 1st.
Click on pics to view more on our Flickr page.

More info or to purchase work:
info@crewest.com

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PAPEL Y MADERA VIDEO RECAP

Oscar Magallanes "Papel Y Madera" Crewest Gallery from Alex Rodriguez on Vimeo.


A quick rundown of the "Papel Y Madera" Show 
@ Crewest Gallery DTLA
March 3rd 2012

Works By:
Oscar Magallanes
oscarmagallanes.com

Beat Credits:
Aspect 1: aspect1.bandcamp.com/
Dj Noha: djnoha.bandcamp.com/

Camera/Editor
Alex Rodriguez alexrodriguez9801@gmail.com


Show runs through April 1st, 2012


More info:
www.Crewest.com




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CREWEST 2012 CALENDAR

We are very happy to announce our upcoming exhibits in the Main Gallery and in the Front Room for 2012. Take a look, see who is showing and get ready for an awesome year at Crewest.

For general inquiries, email us at info@crewest.com.

For press inquiries, email Luna George at luna@crewest.com.

Month	In the Main Gallery	In the Front Room
March	de Papel y Madera Curated by Oscar Magallanes	Oscar Magallanes
April	Sinerlandia Solo Show Featuring Works by Siner	Michael Pizarro
May	Mission Accomplished Crewest 10th Year Anniversary Show	Man One
June	Comic Art Show	Axis
July	Marka27 Solo Show	Problak
August	WERC Solo Show	Relic
September	Hector "HEX TGO" Rios Solo Show	Satterugly
October	TBA	TBA
November	Top of the Dome	Maria Kane & George Yepes
December	TBA	TBA

PAPEL Y MADERA

Papel y Madera

Curated by Oscar Magallanes

Crewest gallery presents works on paper and wood by Oscar
Magallanes along with curated prints from the Self Help Graphics and Art
collection by the following:  El Mac, Chaz Bojorquez, Mear, Vyal, John Carr, Salomón
Huerta, and others...

Date Info:

Opening Reception: 

Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 6 to 10 pm. 

Curator in attendance. 
With Dj Phyz Ed spinning live.

Artwalk Night: 

Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 6 to 10 pm. 

With Dj Phyz Ed spinning live.

Exhibit Closes:

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Websites:

http://www.selfhelpgraphics.com/

http://oscarmagallanes.com/

For questions, email us at info@crewest.com

 

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More pics on our Flickr

AVAILABLE ARTWORK: BLOW UP LA

Blow Up LA, a curated group show, closes soon.  Just a week or so to go.  Vinyl toys and more are now available by various artists.  Please take a look!

J6m69
By Jester
Paint on Vinyl Toy
$650

Puss Cult
By Corrina Martinez/Cat Cult
Acrylic and Aerosol on Vinyl Toy
$300

Little Green Giant
By Texas Craze
Spray Paint, Hemp Leaves, Paint Markers on Vinyl Toy
$500

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE AVAILABLE WORK

Art inquiries?  Email us at info@crewest.com

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AVAILABLE ARTWORK: MAS STENCILS

We have a lot of great artwork now available by LA Stencil artist MAS.  Peep it!

Cheers
By Mas
Aerosol
18x24
$100 framed / $80 unframed

 

















Bambaataa
By Mas
Aerosol
11x14
2010
$200

Wanna Ride
By Mas
Aerosol
18x24
2008
$50

Run DMC
By Mas
Aerosol
7.5 x 7.5
2010
$200

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE AVAILABLE WORK

Art Inquiries?  Email us at info@crewest.com

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FEB ARTWALK 2012

FEB ARTWALK 2012, a set on Flickr.

A few photos from our Feb. Artwalk nite featuring opening of MAS Stencils and Blow Up LA!

JAIME GUERRERO PAINTING LIVE TONIGHT @ CREWEST

Urban Geisha

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Jaime Guerrero will be painting live @7pm tonight at Crewest during the Dowtown Artwalk.  We are very excited to be able to share his talent as he paints live for everyone to enjoy.  

To get to know Jaime Guerrero more, below find his artist statement and website:

"I'm a Freelance artist living in Los Angeles. Ever since I can remember I've had an urge to create. This strong desire has led me to become skilled in creative activities such as drawing and painting. Over the years my artistic interests have greatly expanded; art has always been about experimentation and discovery. It's a fluid process that I greatly enjoy.

My current work is concentrated around the entertainment industry, such as concept art for games, scripts, and commercials. I also do editorial illustrations as well as personal paintings. I incorporate traditional and digital techniques to my work, and try to find a balance between the two."  -Jaime Guerrero

http://www.artofjaimeguerrero.com/

SPECIAL THANKS TO ANDI GARCIA OF THE ARTILLERIST AND JAIME GUERRERO FOR COMING TOGETHER AND BRINGING THIS LIVE ART SESSION TO CREWEST!

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GRAFFITI ON 10S

(Graffiti on 10s, a photo by Crewest on Flickr.)

Broadway Night Out + Yakin Works + 360Magazine in association with Crewest present:

Graffiti on 10s: The Artwalk Afterparty

With live painting by: ELSE
Live body art by: HYDRA and TUNA

Loft 560
560 S. Main St., #10s
(@6th Street)
DTLA!

Thursday Feb.9th
9pm

Open bar from 9-10pm
sponsored by Asahi

RSVP: Broadwaynightout@gmail.com

See you there!
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