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Amir H. Fallah Studio Visit
Thursday, 16 May 2013 /// Written by Kristin Bauer

Following his solo exhibition "The Collected" at Gallery Wendi Norris, painter Amir H. Fallah is in the throes of developing more new works for upcoming international exhibits. We spent some time in his studio in Highland Park, Los Angeles recently, discussing his process and inspiration.

Words & Photos: Kristin Bauer

Amir H. Fallah admits that he's in the studio seven days a week, which is part of the reason he's chosen to build his studio into his home in Los Angeles. Fallah is an incredibly prolific visual artist showing nationally and internationally, and is also the founder and owner of Beautiful Decay, juggling both with incredible dexterity. On the tail end of his very successful and highly reviewed solo exhibition "The Collected" at Gallery Wendi Norris in San Francisco, immediately followed by the opening of "Desaturated Rainbow," a group exhibition he co-curated which opened in NYC at Field Projects, Fallah is back to work without missing a beat. I visited him at his studio on a beautiful sunny day recently to get a behind the scenes view of his process and inspiration.

Fallah is currently working on a number of pieces for a group exhibition at The Third Line in Dubai and several works on paper for another group exhibit in Rotterdam. The exhibition in Dubai is called Arrangement, and he is developing painted and collaged works on paper-mounted-canvas for it that deconstruct and reconfigure flower arrangement. Fallah found himself making these pieces after creating a painting he titled "The Ultimate Mom Painting" in 2009.

He says, "my mom called me up one day and said, 'Can't you just paint me something pretty? Like some flowers or a pond?' She wanted mom art... I made the 7'x5' painting as a joke and halfway through the painting I realized I liked it."

Seeing his work during its developing stages, the dance between abstraction and realism and the spatial tension that Fallah is playing with become clearer. Balancing references to abstract painting, Persian Miniature paintings, Dutch and Flemish still life and graphic design, the works are multidimensional and increasingly textural the closer one looks. --continuing reading

Pantonio (+Portugal)
Wednesday, 01 May 2013 /// Written by Trippe

Portugal based artist Pantonio emailed some recent works. We see a little Kinsey reference in some of them, but dig the work. See his site for more and to view his street art works.

Ian Francis in NYC at Joshua Liner
Friday, 26 April 2013 /// Written by Trippe

British artist Ian Francis opened up the solo show Season 1 Episode 0 last night, April 25th at NYC's Joshua Liner. We've been fans of Ian's work for years. ~show details & works.

Ian Francis work in NYC

George W. Bush: ‘Painting Has Changed My Life’
Thursday, 25 April 2013 /// Written by Trippe

VIDEO FROM ABC <-- We're all for everyone grabing a paint brush and going at it, but Jerry Saltz saying "Bush Is a Good Painter!" is ridiculous. We think the comment by DAVIDNORMAL said it best:

The criticism and the comments shows what I think is the common pitfall of the way we think about art, especially contemporary art. We think of it too much in it's cultural context and judge it not enough by it's own intrinsic merits, but more by what it is associated with. Long after the culture that defined it has lost it's importance and it's meaning, great art will stand on its own. Bush will be remembered as the puppet of a treasonous cabal that ruined the democracy and the economy of the USA, and these mediocre paintings will be a tiny footnote on his bad legacy, yet the paintings separated from Bush's identity would not be recognized at all, and thrown in the trash.

Jessica and I do dig his dog portrait

In random George Bush(ness), have you seen the documentary Journeys with George which chronicles the campaign of the 2000 election directed by Alexandra Pelosi? It's good. Watch it.

Recent Works by David Lyle
Tuesday, 23 April 2013 /// Written by Trippe

NYC based David Lyle emailed over some recent works as he prepares for his upcoming shows in both NYC and Paris. Check out some of his previous works.

Working from found photographs, Lyle's paintings are created through a reductive painting process where each piece is rendered using only black paint and turpentine. Lyle begins this process by priming a panel with white gesso. He then paints a thin, rich, oily black veneer over the primed panel, slowly and systematically developing his images by removing some of the black paint with a cloth. In doing so, Lyle renders layer upon layer of various values of black paint resulting in his signature-style of luminescent works.

John Felix Arnold III in Japan (Part 2)
Friday, 12 April 2013 /// Written by Rachel Ralph

Fecal Face contributor Rachel Ralph (rachel(at)fecalface.com) profiles this Oakland based painter's forthcoming residency and travels to Japan. His paintings will be on display in the SFMOMA's windows during their upcoming construction.
Photos: Megan Wolfe

John Felix Arnold III leaves for Japan tomorrow and it's going to be a transformative five weeks for him. This trip, complete with meditative and artistic practice, will provide an intimate understanding of his own process and spiritual growth in this world and in his world of Unstoppable Tomorrow. Unstoppable Tomorrow, a trope Felix works through in every piece, is a post-apocalyptic world in which people have no choice but to work together to stay alive. By experiencing ancient temples and gardens first-hand through deep meditative states as well as daily interactions and exploration, we will see new conversations arise in his work. These new visions will carry his thoughts on the necessity of future spirituality further into the global stage. Instead of staying isolated in his studio, he is taking his practice across the world, opening it and himself up to new people and experiences and I cannot wait to see how this affects his process.

Felix will continue to update me on his travels, and I will continue to post them to the site as a way to see how this trip specifically affects his work. By diving head-first into a culture on the other side of the world, this trip will reveal a lot about him as an artist. He is removing all barriers imposed upon him by his life in the states while taking on new challenges and unforeseen experiences abroad. Keep watching the site to see how this develops before seeing the work in person when it opens on June 8th here in San Francisco, at his project In Memory Of... an installation of new work created specifically for the SFMoMA's windows. -Rachel Ralph (rachel(at)fecalface.com)

"Going Nowhere" Tonight, Fri @FFDG
Friday, 12 April 2013 /// Written by Van Edwards

FFDG is pleased to present San Francisco based artists Alex Ziv and Mario Ayala in the two person show entitled "Going Nowhere" featuring 22 new mixed media works on paper. Both artists are attending The San Francisco Art Institute with Alex Ziv studying for his MFA in painting while Mario Ayala in his last year for a BFA in painting. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, April 12th (6-9pm). The artists will be present. Beer and wine will be available.

Going Nowhere
Alex Ziv & Mario Ayala
Opening reception: Friday, April 12th (6–9pm)
@FFDG, San Francisco
2277 Mission St.

Press Release (+click to read)

Alex Ziv's works, composed of pen and ink on paper, explore and help to define Ziv's definition of "Americana" through the visual iconography and language of motorcycle subculture. Through exploring topics of contemporary and historical Americana through a background knowledge of mainstream and subversive symbology found in subcultures, Ziv's work attempts to enhance and highlight topics of turbulence.

Mario Ayala's work is a further exploration of his lived experiences intertwined with the ideals of the West Coast ethos containing its ritualistic chachkies, cultural luxuries, and the anxieties due to taking mind altering substances while faced with the prioritized decision of guns or butta. Ayala creates pictorial hyperboles from friend/ family experiences to explore the trudges of economic class, multi cultural sacrosanct, and the day to day hustle for egalitarianism.

About Alex Ziv
24 year old Alex Ziv was born and raised in San Francisco California where he is attending The San Francisco Art Institute in pursuit of an MFA. He has been selected to show both nationally and internationally as well as being selected for his first museum group exhibition at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art opening early in May. His work explores topics of contemporary and historical Americana through a background knowledge of mainstream and subversive symbology found in subcultures to enhance and highlight topics of turbulence.

About Mario Ayala
Mario Ayala is 21 years old and is in his last year at the San Francisco Art Institute studying for his BFA in painting. He has shown work in several group exhibitions in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles and in North Carolina. Mario's work involves the use of multiple materials, but mostly the use various paints for their own specific processes of application and historical contexts to metaphorically describe the ethos of West coast subcultural ideals. He creates pictorial hyperboles from friend/ family experiences to explore the trudges of economic class, multi cultural sacrosanct, and the day to day hustle for egalitarianism.

Work by Mario Ayala

Work by Alex Ziv

John Felix Arnold III in Japan
Friday, 05 April 2013 /// Written by Rachel Ralph

If you don't know about Oakland-based artist John Felix Arnold III, you should.

He's not only showing in local galleries here in the Bay Area, but across the world with an upcoming residency in Japan. He was also given the SFMoMA Minna Street Windows during their upcoming construction, and I have no doubt you will continue to see his work both locally and internationally in the future. I've been fortunate enough to be in contact with Felix, who is sharing his globe-trotting journey with me and Fecal Face readers. This will be an ongoing collaboration between he and I in which I will share the development of his work as he takes this awesome adventure.

Felix's work is not perfect. When I said this to him, he replied "Well, life isn't either." And wouldn't it be boring if it was? Obviously his line work is just about perfect, but the varnished washes and spray painted highlights cover the perfection in a way that draws you into the depths of his world. As soon as you see a recognizable figure or body part, it is veiled with a thick wash of polyurethane and the pull into the painting pushes you right back out of it, only enticing your view even more.

He often works in installations, creating encompassing environments which feel like being inside a graphic novel, frequently working with musicians to create shows that provide not only visual but aural stimulation to viewers. However, his works for the SFMoMA (several paintings stretching about 8 feet tall) are astounding visually and stand on their own, without the support of the installations or performances. When the demolition begins for the SFMoMA's expansion, these works will be displayed in their windows, reminding pedestrians that art and creation will continue when the detritus has been removed and the construction is completed.

Felix leaves for Japan in less than a week and will continue to update me with the work he will be doing there, including meditating with Buddhist monks, holding an exhibition at the end of his residency, and attending various Japanese cultural events. I will continue to update the site with drawings from his meditations as well as the work he creates during his residency to watch the development of it as he encounters these momentous experiences. Keep watching the site to see how it all develops.

Written by: Rachel Ralph (rachel(at)fecalface.com)

"Going Nowhere" Opens April 12th @FFDG
Thursday, 04 April 2013 /// Written by Van Edwards

Going Nowhere
Alex Ziv & Mario Ayala
Opening reception: Friday, April 12th (6–9pm)
@FFDG, San Francisco
2277 Mission St.

Press Release (+Click to expand)

Work by Mario Ayala

Work by Alex Ziv

Going Nowhere
Alex Ziv & Mario Ayala
Opening reception: Friday, April 12th (6–9pm)
@FFDG, San Francisco
2277 Mission St.

Press Release (+click to read)

Last Week to View Curiot in SF
Thursday, 04 April 2013 /// Written by Van Edwards

Last week to view Mexico City based Curiot's solo show Age of Omuktlans at San Francisco's FFDG. Hours: Wed thru Sat (1-6pm). | 2277 Mission St. @19th

Chant for Pleasure by Curiot | acrylic on MDF | 24" x 24"

Paintings by Adam Sorensen
Tuesday, 02 April 2013 /// Written by Van Edwards

Oil on linen works by Adam Sorensen (Born: 1976, Chicago, IL) whose show just concluded at PDX Contemporary Art in Portland.

BLACKARTPROJECTS AND MARK WHALEN PRESENT
Friday, 29 March 2013 /// Written by Trippe

MAZE WALKERS
Work by Mark Whalen
Opening Thursday 4 April, 6-8pm
Exhibition: 2 - 20 April, 2013

Chalk Horse
8 Lacey Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia

Hi Fructose Covers Curiot
Wednesday, 27 March 2013 /// Written by Trippe

Curiot in SF at the opening of "Age of the Omuktlans" @FFDG

Mexico City-based painter and street artist Curiot opened his solo show, "Age of the Omuktlans," at San Francisco's FFDG. Part folkloric and part futuristic, the composite creatures in Curiot's series of paintings are inspired by Curiot's imaginings of Mexican culture during his upbringing in the United States. The otherworldly animals in the vibrant paintings are made up of scrambling homunculi, organic forms and textile-inspired abstract designs. “Age of the Omuktlans” is on view through April 6th.
~continue reading

FFDG will be releasing a silkscreen print from Curiot this Friday. To be added to the list to be first to receive one, email: info(at)ffdg.net

Nosego in Philly Saturday
Wednesday, 27 March 2013 /// Written by Trippe

Philadelphia baseed painter/ mural artist Yis "NoseGo" Goodwin, who had the honor of showing here at FFDG during our Winter Group Show, opens the solo show Colossal The Small at Philly's James Oliver Gallery this Saturday, the 30th (6-10pm). Below is a small taste Yis emailed over to us to share with you, the Fecal reader.

Nosego is currently collaborating with Converse and the Cartoon Network series Adventure Time, as well as Nickelodeon; and Nosego will also be featured in Streetosphere, an upcoming documentary about street art.

Michael Kerbow
Tuesday, 26 March 2013 /// Written by Trippe

Work by San Francisco based painter Michael Kerbow from his Aberrations series.

Epic Journey, gouache on paper, 34×42 inches

False Hope, oil on canvas, 12×16 inches

Curiot @FFDG
Thursday, 21 March 2013 /// Written by Van Edwards

Age of Omuktlans features works by Mexico City based Curiot currently running at FFDG in San Francisco through April 6, 2013.

FFDG, San Francisco
2277 Mission St. @19th
Hours: Wed thru Sat (1-6pm)

Distorted Nature, acrylic on canvas, 15.5" x 20"

Chant for Pleasure, acrylic on MDF, 24" x 24"

Curiot @FFDG (+Opening Pics)
Friday, 15 March 2013 /// Written by Van Edwards

Photos from the opening of Age of Omuktlans featuring works by Mexico City based Curiot @FFDG in San Francisco. Photos by Chloe Rice

View all photos

Curiot @FFDG Opening Friday, March 8th
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 /// Written by Van Edwards

"Age of Omuktlans"
Curiot, solo show
Opening reception: Friday, Mar 8th, 6–9 pm
@FFDG, San Francisco

preview inquires, email: info(at)ffdg.net
RSVP on Facebook

FFDG is pleased to present Mexico City based painter and street artist Curiot (Favio Martinez) in his first solo show in the United States entitled “Age of Omuktlans” featuring 11 new colorful and vibrant acrylic paintings on canvas. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, March 8th (6-9pm). The artist will be present. Beer and wine will be available. The show runs through April 14th.

Curiot’s colorful paintings, featuring mythical half-animal half-human figures and scenes, which allude to Mexican traditions (geometric designs, Day of the Dead styles, myths and legends, tribal elements), are rendered in precise detail with a mixture of highly vibrant yet complementary colors. “Growing up in the States sort of gave me a diluted Mexican culture, I had no clue what I was missing out on until I moved back 10 years ago”, says Curiot. “The bright colors, folklore, ancient cultures and the beautiful handcrafts are some of the things that I embraced and which influence my work deeply”. The 11 new paintings in “Age of Omuktlans” tell the story of man’s distance from his natural path as he focuses his energy on satisfying his material pleasures and the dystopia this creates.

Curiot is a painter and street artist working in Mexico City. He earned his B.F.A from the Universidad Michoacana de S.N. Hidalgo in 2008. His paintings have been exhibited in diverse solo and group venues including: Fecal Face, Anno Domini, Fifty24MX, CC186, Centro Cultural Border, Galería David Alfaro Siqueiros, Lavamp, La Cream Galería, and received an award for his work “Mass Media” in the 7th National Biennial of Painting and Engraving Alfredo Zalce. Curiot´s work has been featured in numerous online and print publications including Beautiful Decay, Indie Rocks, El Fanzine, and Tongue Mag.

Curiot wants to do a wall while here in San Francisco. Do you have a good wall where he could do a piece? Let us know. info(at)ffdg.net

Alexandros Vasmoulakis @Lebasse Projects
Thursday, 21 February 2013 /// Written by Trippe

Paintings by Alexandros Vasmoulakis are up at Lebasse Projects in Culver City through this Saturday, the 23rd. We've featured some of his massive fragmented murals he's done in China and Europe in the past here. Enjoy his style.

Alexandros Vasmoulakis was born in 1980. He studied painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts.

Paul Wackers Interview
Wednesday, 20 February 2013 /// Written by Kristin Bauer

Paul Wackers has an exhibition of all new paintings up at New Image Art Gallery in LA from February 16th to March 30th. He sheds some light on his inspiration, creative process, new work and his experience of being an artist in NY in this interview with Kristin Bauer.

"Early Romantics" Paul Wackers at New Image Art Gallery
Feb. 16- Mar. 30, 2013
7920 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046

Dance for You, acrylic, spray paint on panel, 48”x60”, 2013

Tell me about your most recent work we will be seeing in Early Romantics at New Image? How has it evolved from your previous work?

I will be showing about 12 new paintings all made since the beginning of 2013, so pretty quickly. One is the largest painting I've ever made which was really fun to do. The rest are a mix of objects in the landscape and very paired down still lifes or almost abstract compositions. I think this show is a really good follow up from my show at Alice gallery in Brussels last year. So continuing to build a bit off an internal narrative for the work and some parameters from my subjects to exist within and seeing where it goes from there.

A Description of Leveling Off, acrylic, spray paint on panel, 60”x48”, 2013

Your paintings have a sense of capturing the magic in the mundane objects and moments in daily life. What is your process of working this way? Would you say it's more of a process of infusing energy into the ordinary, or seeing beneath the surface of the everyday and expanding on what's already there?

Yeah, I think that is all in the work, but the work is rarely from direct observation. It's more like a kind of assumption of what something is and that leads to being open to the possibilities within anything. I know that's pretty cheesy, but when you spend 7 days a week in your studio the regular stuff around you and your walks there get really interesting. Funny bits of trash or strange trees and blandness become stages for things to happen. Being able to expand on the boring bit to see how it might be something unique is a hard thing, but a worthwhile search I think. But maybe ask me tomorrow and I won't see anything in it. It's all in the moment.

Natural History, acrylic, spray paint on panel, 70”x60”, 2013

In your work there's an interaction and a sense of tension between meticulous detailed areas and looser more abstract elements- almost a play between order and chaos. How do you feel order and chaos, or other polarities, present in your process and final imagery?

I like to play with those ideas in some of the paintings. Its strange that what I might see as just background noise that is easy to ignore because it has no focus, other people see chaotic stuff. I love how every person reads them so differently. That's why I usually like to let people tell me what they see before I say what I think is going on, since it is that play and disconnect that I love. If I give away my intention too soon then the person looking usually just ends at that, but when it stays ambiguous I think it remains interesting and the discussion can begin after that. But that being said, sometimes I will try to make images that I think can't possibly work, and then they start to click and I have a whole new thing to explore. So I guess finding some disharmony has been very beneficial to my process.