Joy checks out his opening along with the group show featuring works by Cum*, Eine, Brent McHugh, Ryan Jacob Smith, and Mario Wagner.

By Joy

So I've slacked once again with a follow-up post to Ben Tour's show but you figure since there was a nice little pre-post, it's not so so bad an idea in spacing these things out. I mean it's about giving you enough time to where you've almost forgotten what they look like and then BAM! ...they're back in your face and it's like meeting for the 1st time all over again. And then you're reminded of how cute...err, I mean how much you liked the work in the 1st place and it's a love affair instantly rekindled. Well with that logic I present you pictures from the last FIfty24 Gallery opening.

Ben Tour's "Underbelly"

Downstairs
5024SF Gallery
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 10th, 2008 7-9:30pm
Show runs January 10-31, 2008

Born in Toronto and currently residing in Vancouver, B.C., Ben Tour has had successful shows throughout Canada as well as on the East and West coasts of the US. His work has been published in art and culture magazines such as Streetwear Today, Applied Arts, and Color as well as BLK/MRKT's books, "One" and "Two". Tour sites figurative art, strong people, and the urban environment as inspiration and is starting to work on a larger scale for his upcoming solo shows in Toronto and Philadelphia.

Seen this before?

Where's Ben?
ps. no offense but does anyone else think that guy looks like doogie howser?

Lania (sp?) sorry if I spelled it wrong

Letters to the Editor

Featuring work by:
Cum*, Eine, Brent McHugh,
Ryan Jacob Smith, and Mario Wagner.
Upstairs
5024SF Gallery
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 10th, 2008 7-9:30pm
Show runs January 10-31, 2008

The "Letters to the Editor" group show brings together artists whose work varies in style and theme to express their own unique narrative, their own "letter to the editor". Each of the five artists selected utilizes elements specific to the street culture genre as a means to convey their point of view. From the most fundamental component – the letter – to the most incidental imagery, this body of work opens up a dialogue between artist and audience and portrays the panorama of opinion, interpretation and commentary inherant to contemporary urban art today.

Cum* is a collective of three artists based in Ghent, Belgium who began working together in 2001. Utilizing strong symbols and icons, such as the pin-up girl stencil, their work deals with a multitude of themes that center around sexuality: pornography, voyeurism, and vulgarity, to name a few. Their craft employs the use of silkscreen, pencil, acrylic and spray paint to accomplish their pieces. They have shown throughout the US and extensively in Belgium with shows at Maes & Matthys and the Stedelijk Museum. They have also been featured in Happy Camper, Trigger, and NY Arts magazines.

Your garden variety close-up.

Ryan Jacob Smith was born in Pasadena, CA and lives and works in Portland, OR. Influenced early-on by skateboarding, BMX riding, and ephemeral pursuits like rock collecting, Ryan's work portrays the intimate narrative of survival, drawing from his personal archive of symbols. Branches, arteries, moths and anvils play on the same stage amidst subtle colors and vintage motifs to portray the artist's vision of beauty and strength. Ryan has shown nationally in group shows in Los Angeles and New York with a solo show at Super7 Store in San Francisco.

Yay it's Daniel and Starla!

Brent McHugh was born in Alexandria, VA and lives and works in San Francisco, CA. Utilizing a variety of media from acrylic to ink wash to pencil, Brent explores the experiences of everday life. Influenced by comics as a child, he uses his own dream-like characters to depict puzzling scenes and thought-provoking stories. He has shown extensively in San Francisco.

Gallery ladies workin it out.

Eine lives and works in London, England where he began doing graffiti over 25 years ago. He is perhaps best known for the vibrantly-colored, graphic letters he has painted on shop shutters throughout London. He has exhibited in Tokyo, New York, and throughout Europe.

Kimberly ruminating about the rise and popularity of urban street culture and the role it plays in shaping aesthetics and values in design and contemporary art today. (Actually, I think it was more like should I let these yahoos use the bathroom or not?)

Not sure how I missed these since I have no pictures for them but I really like this guys work. I'm gonna have to be budge and gank em from the upperplayground website, so pardon in advance.

Mario Wagner lives and works in Cologne, Germany. His work combines photographs, painting, and illustration collaged to create graphic landscapes and minimalist imagery. He has shown at Galerie Revolver in Germany, 4Wall in London and at Aqua Art Miami 2007. For 2008 he will be showing at Scope New York and Feinkunst Kruger in Hamburg. Mario has been featured in numerous publications such as Nylon, Vice, and Playboy Germany and has worked with clients such as Adidas and Sony.

Dj Egadz

Later gators! {moscomment}

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