ERIC KROLL, SEX OBJECTS TO FETISH GIRLS

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Colin

Black and White Silver Gelatin Print, Edition 1/5 20 x 16 inches (50.8 x 40.6 cm)

ERIC KROLL, SEX OBJECTS TO FETISH GIRLS
JUL 29, 2011 — SEP 17, 2011

Sex Objects to Fetish Girls is a selection of photographs by Eric Kroll. The opening reception will take place at Prisma from 7-9pm on Friday, July 29th, and the exhibition will be on view through Saturday, September 17th.

Sex Objects to Fetish Girls presents a selection of work from two of Kroll’s famous publications. Published in 1977 with a grant from the New York State Council of the Arts, Sex Objects documents his travels across America photographing and interviewing the women who worked in massage parlors, strip clubs and sex joints. The photographs sparked controversy because of the stark reality depicted and because of the public art grant that funded the project. The book was a critical success and opened a sensitively documented window into a subset of taboo American culture.

In 1994 Kroll’s second book, Fetish Girls, was published by TASCHEN and has sold over 145,000 copies. The photos are playful and surreal images that explore a multitude of sexual fantasies. Drawing from his artistic influences of Man Ray, Eric Stanton, and Irving Klaw, Fetish Girls depicts the absurd, kinky, humorous and whimsical.

Please contact the gallery for more information.

PRISM
8746 W. Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
T 310.289.1301
F 310.289.1302
http://www.prismla.com/

beinArt News

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Colin

Jon Beinart says:

The "Sideshow" group art exhibition will open on the 3rd of August, 6-8pm at For Walls Gallery inside Miss Libertine (Melbourne, Australia). The show will run until the 26th of August. Keep scrolling for more information about this show.

I will be curating two big beinArt Collective shows in the USA in 2012. "Taboo" at Paul Booth's Last Rites Gallery in May and "Anomalies" at Copro Gallery in October. More info on these shows will be announced closer to the dates.

Our upcoming book "Black Magick – The Art of Chet Zar" will be available in early 2012.

You may have noticed a few changes taking place on beinArt.org. We've removed our shop and will no longer be selling prints or books. From now on our books will only be available through distributors and in book stores. You can still find information about our publications and upcoming books on our website. Another big change is that you will now find our blog on our homepage and we will be updating it with art related news, interviews and articles much more frequently. More exciting developments are underway and will be disclosed soon.

Sincerely,

Jon Beinart

"The Sideshow" Group Art Exhibition in Melbourne, Australia.

In 2010, ten Australian artists were selected out of numerous submissions to participate in a group exhibition titled "The Sideshow". This competition was judged by Meg Woodsworth and Jon Beinart. "The Sideshow" exhibition at For Walls will feature one work from each of the artists selected and several works from the grand winner of the competition, Lucy Fekete.

Painting by Lucy Fekete

Participating Artists:

Lucy Fekete (winner), Curran James (runner up), Kaitlin Beckett, Trish Leone, Nina Maskiell, Samara Owens, Basak Savcigil, Michael Anderson, Levene Wong and more.

Lucy Fekete and Curran James both have upcoming interviews on the beinArt blog.

Lucy Fekete is a Melbourne born painter, illustrator and cartoonist. Lucy has worked predominantly as a freelance illustrator in advertising agencies since 2006 on accounts that have included The Age, Medibank, Red Energy, and Mitsubishi.

More recently Lucy has been offered work to illustrate children's books, which is a long time dream for her. However, the biggest passion in Lucy's life (family and friends aside) is painting. In a perfect world Lucy would paint full-time and illustrate children's books on the side.

"I love the illustrated pin up girls by Gil Elvgren and Bill Ward. They are so beautiful and so sexy and I think to many people very appealing to look at. I've been wanting to do my own series of pin up girls for a while, so when I was offered the opportunity to do a solo show as winner of 'The Sideshow' competition held by the beinArt Surreal Art Collective at For Walls Gallery, I felt combining my interest in the pin-up girl genre with the theme of 'The Sideshow' would marry well, thus producing a show that's sexy, beautiful, fun, silly and a little bit different. I'm convinced this show will amuse and entertain all, including myself." – Lucy Fekete, "The Sideshow" competition winner.

Opens Wednesday night (August 3rd) 6-8pm at for Walls Gallery inside Miss Libertine, show runs until Friday August 26th Gallery Hours – Monday – Friday 12-7pm, weekends by appointment.

For Walls Gallery @ Miss Libertine

Level 1, 34 Franklin Street, Melbourne CBD, Australia, 3000.

RSVP to 'The Sideshow' on Facebook

Winning Piece: 'Silly cow and Two Faced B***H' by Lucy Fekete.

Runner Up: 'Frank "Cannonball" Richards' by Curran James.

New Books, Prints, and Fun Stuff at Last Gasp’s Comic-Con Booth

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Colin

See New Books, Prints, and Fun Stuff at Last Gasp’s Comic-Con booth

We are at Booth #1616

First of all, you must come play Comic-Con Bingo with us!

http://www.lastgasp.com/bingo

You can win the prizes!

We’ll be debuting Tank Tankuro: Pre-War Manga

“sporting a gorgeous case and cover design by Chris Ware. …cartooning at its best” – The Comics Journal

We’ll have new books like Winshluss’ Pinocchio, new titles from Nobrow Press, and some rare and out-of-print items. And as always, we’ll have all the newest releases from our own press as well as many other publishers from around the globe. See you in San Diego!

Signings at the Last Gasp booth (#1616)

Thursday

Lisa Hanawalt: 11-1

Ron English: 2-4

Friday

Laurie Lipton: 2-4

Lisa Hanawalt: 4-6

Lisa Hanawalt letterpress print

Laurie Lipton “The Umpteenth Anniversary” print

See the full gallery on Posterous

Ron English Print Set

LAST GASP FRESH NEW BOOKS 7/8/11

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Colin

LAST GASP FRESH NEW BOOKS 7/8/11

This week's highlights include: a slimmed down version of "Ichibay," the tattoo book from the prolifically talented "demon of drawing"; a collection of a collaborative art exercise between Kyle Ranson and Daniel Higgs; a magnificent, deluxe, oversized collection of fantasy comic strips from the early 20th century; a limited edition portfolio of Kim Deitch's looseleaf "story" pages, which serve as his sketchbook; a surreal and bizarre collection of chipboard sketches by underground cartoonist Denis Kitchen; a fascinating collection of letters between Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, revealing both their friendship and their creative process; new issues of "Dice" and "High Times" magazines; the new issue of the beloved and always eagerly-awaited "Doris" zine; and the story of Jack Kirby, told by one of the few people close enough to him to be considered family.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

INKED: CLEVER, ODD, AND OUTRAGEOUS TATTOOS
Verena von Holtum, Maria Regina Madarang, Christina Burns, editors – $19.95 – ISBN-13: 978-3-8327-9280-0
Hardcover – Color
Passion and fads may fade — but tattoos are forever. What seemed kinky and bold, can easily become pitiful mistakes the morning after. This quirky, comical book of body art shows how the tint can become tainted, and the spur of the moment, a whim to regret. The message: spend longer considering and less time regretting. A fascinating catalog of visual imagery and personal folly.

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURED ITEM: DENIS KITCHEN'S CHIPBOARD SKETCHBOOK
Denis Kitchen – $19.95 – ISBN-13: 978-0-9788851-1-3

See GRAPHIC NOVELS below.

FEATURED ITEM: KIM DEITCH FILES: LIMITED EDITION PORTFOLIO
Kim Deitch – $45.00

See GRAPHIC NOVELS below.

FEATURED ITEM: MORPH TRAITS
Daniel Higgs, Kyle Ranson – $18.00 – ISBN-13: 978-0-9834987-1-1
Softcover – Softcover
44 drawings that are the result of a collaborative exercise between Kyle Ranson and Daniel Higgs. Consummated in 1991 and set aside, this back and forth practice continued intermittently over the next 16 years through brief encounters and the postal system. In 2007, the two geographically separated artists reinitiated the game and decided to create a volume of these works. Edition of 500.

ART, STREET/GRAFFITI

GRAFFITI BURNERS
Bjorn Almqvist – $29.95 – ISBN-13: 978-91-85639-42-7
Hardcover – Color
In cities worldwide, graffiti art is constantly being taken to higher levels. The will to burn all resistance, to outdo all the others, brings amazing results. Graffiti Burners shows how techniques have been refined and letter construction distorted, how color combinations have blossomed and concepts developed. Aroe (UK), Bates (DK), Bio (USA), Kacao77 (D), Rime (USA), Scan (CA), Suiko (JP), more.

AUTOMOTIVE

LOWRIDER COLORING BOOK
Oscar Nilsson – $9.95 – ISBN-13: 978-91-85639-41-0
Softcover – Black and white
Impalas, Cadillacs and Rivieras — paint your own lowrider just the way you like it! Lowriding is bigger than ever with thousands of enthusiasts in most parts of the world. All strive to outdo each other with the most elegant varnish, interior, hydraulics, chrome and rims. The custom cars in the Lowrider Coloring Book were converted by some of the best and most legendary enthusiasts.

BEAT GENERATION

FEATURED ITEM: JACK KEROUAC AND ALLEN GINSBERG: THE LETTERS
Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Bill Morgan, David Stanford, editors – $20.00 – ISBN-13: 978-0-14-311954-8
Softcover –
Perhaps one of the last great dual correspondences of the twentieth century, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg: The Letters reveals not only the process of creation of the two most celebrated members of the Beat Generation, but also the unfolding of a remarkable friendship of immense pathos and spiritual depth. "[An] essential Beat masterpiece." -The Village Voice

COMIC THEORY/HISTORY/BIOS

FEATURED ITEM: JACK MAGIC VOL. 1: THE LIFE AND ART OF JACK KIRBY
Greg Theakston – $25.00 – ISBN-13: 978-1-56685-090-2
Softcover – Black and white
The story of Jack Kirby, The King of Comics and co-creator of The X-Men, Thor, The Fantastic Four, The Silver Surfer, Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, Nick Fury, The Avengers, Doctor Doom, and hundreds more! Jack Kirby was amazing: as an artist, and a human being. A rare handful of people got close to him — close enough to be Jack's son. Greg Theakston was one. This book is family-personal.

COMICS

PAPERCUTTER 16
Greg Means, editor – $4.00
Saddle-stitched – Black and white
The anthology series showcasing the best young, underexposed and emerging comic book artists. The darkly compelling story by Joey Alison Sayers follows a middle school science teacher as his noble ideals about his profession start to crumble. Liz Prince returns with a look at the inner workings of her mind. Alexis Frederick-Frost offers a lush tale of a hunter who finds some of her prey adorable.

FICTION – GENERAL

LAMB: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BIFF, CHRIST'S CHILDHOOD PAL
Christopher Moore – $14.99 – ISBN-13: 978-0-380-81381-0
Softcover –
The birth of Jesus has been well chronicled, as have his glorious teachings, acts, and divine sacrifice. But no one knows about his early life — except Biff, the Messiah's best bud, who tells the story in the divinely hilarious yet heartfelt work "reminiscent of Vonnegut and Douglas Adams" (Philadelphia Inquirer), filled with magic, kung fu, corpse reanimations, demons, and hot babes.

THE DREAM-QUEST OF UNKNOWN KADATH AND OTHER ONEIRIC WORKS
H.P. Lovecraft – $14.95 – ISBN-13: 978-1-9021973-2-6
Softcover –
Dreams of an opulent, mythic city lead "night-tripper" Randolph Carter into an exhilarating but often terrifying voyage into the very eye of midnight. This is regarded as the culminatory text in HP Lovecraft's "Dream Cycle," and perhaps the most elaborate story to feature Randolph Carter, explorer of alternative, labyrinthine dream-worlds that constantly threaten to turn into nightmare.

FILM & TEEVEE

ART OF CARS 2: THE
Ben Queen, Karen Paik – $40.00 – ISBN-13: 978-0-8118-7891-3
Hardcover – Color
"Cars 2" is a globetrotting, high-octane ride through the world that Lightning McQueen, Mater, and the other beloved "Cars" characters first briought to life in 2008. Showcasing the gorgeous concept art that went into the film's development, and including a foreword by director John Lasseter, The Art of Cars 2 takes a look under the hood of the latest Pixar masterpiece.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ANYA'S GHOST
Vera Brosgel – $15.99 – ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-552-0
Softcover – Black and white
Anya is embarrassed by her family, self- conscious about her body, and she's given up on fitting in at school. A new friend, even a ghost, is just what she needs. Or so she thinks. Spooky, sardonic, and secretly sincere. Ages 12 and up. "A masterpiece, of YA literature and of comics." -Neil Gaiman. "Remarkable… with an attitude and aptitude reminiscent of Marjane Satrapi." -NY Times

FEATURED ITEM: DENIS KITCHEN'S CHIPBOARD SKETCHBOOK
Denis Kitchen – $19.95 – ISBN-13: 978-0-9788851-1-3
Hardcover – Black and white
Underground cartoonist Denis Kitchen began drawing on the chipboard back of writing tablets during long meetings. These spontaneous drawings, done primarily with Sharpie markers and uni-ball pens, are distinctly surreal, often extremely bizarre. The peculiar surfaces, unusual drawing tools, and possibly peeks into the artist's id contribute to the unique look. Some images not suitable for minors.

FEATURED ITEM: FORGOTTEN FANTASY: SUNDAY COMICS 1900-1915
Peter Maresca, editor – $125.00 – ISBN-13: 978-0-9835504-0-2
Hardcover – Color
The dawn of the 20th century saw technological advances only dreamed of before — includung four-color printing. This brought about a unique genre within a new art form: the Fantasy Comic Strip. From 1900 to 1915, American newspapers offered some of the most fascinating comics ever printed. This deluxe edition features over 150 of these strips, in the original size and colors.

FEATURED ITEM: KIM DEITCH FILES: LIMITED EDITION PORTFOLIO
Kim Deitch – $45.00
Portfolio of loose pages in envelope – Blak and white
A limited edition portfolio of looseleaf "story" pages which serve as Kim Deitch's sketchbook, where he works out the ideas for his comics. Includes selections of the original story pages from many of Kim's major works, plus many other projects, never before seen projects, and a couple jaw- dropping life studies. 30 plates in a stamped inter-department delivery envelope, with intro by Deitch.

LEVEL UP
Gene Luen, Thien Pham Yang – $15.99 – ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-235-2
Softcover – Two-color
The new graphic novel by Gene Yang (American Born Chinese). Dennis lives in the shadow of his parents' high expectations. They want him to become a doctor. But Dennis just wants to play video games — and he might be good enough to do it professionally. This powerful piece of magical realism brings into sharp relief the conflict many teens face between their dreams and their parents'.

QUEEN OF THE BLACK BLACK
Megan Kelso – $19.99 – ISBN-13: 978-1-606994-59-7
Softcover – Black and white
This collection of Kelso's early Girlhero minicomic stories from 1991-1996 shows the first sprouting of a major cartooning talent. A new, completely redesigned edition of the long- out- of- print classic. Kelso scrutinizes bicycle messengers, venereal diseases, infidelity, unwanted pregnancies, temporary work assignments, family reunions, and classroom daydreams in subtle, unexpected manners.

SHIRTLIFTER 4
Steve MacIsaac, Ilya, Justin Hall – $12.95 – ISBN-13: 978-0-9791349-4-4
Softcover – Color
The third issue of this first- rate series, featuring queer- themed comics from "Sticky" artist Steve MacIsaac. Features Book 2 of "Unpacking." Matt is a Vancouver graphic designer who has begun spending time with a visiting businessman, but their "no strings" relationship begins to get tangled. Plus work from Justin Hall and Ilya. Not smut, but a fair amount of adult material.

WANDERING SON, VOL. 1
Shimura Takako – $19.99 – ISBN-13: 978-1-60699-416-0
Hardcover – Black and white
A sensitive masterpiece from Japan's most prominent creator of LGBT manga and one of today's most critically acclaimed creators of manga. Shuichi is a fifth grade boy who wants to be a girl, and Yoshino is a girl who wants to be a boy. Shimura portrays their very private journey with affection, sensitivity, gentle humor, and unmistakable flair and grace. A sophisticated work of literary manga.

HOW-TO GUIDES

BIG IDEAS FOR NORTHWEST SMALL GARDENS
Marty Wingate, Jacqueline Koch – $21.95 – ISBN-13: 978-1-57061-275-6
Softcover – Color
Making every square foot count! Transform your too-small yard into a beautiful, textured, and colorful garden with this new book. Master Gardener and Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Marty Wingate details design, planning, and planting ideas that will bring a bounty of flowers, variety, and volume to small yards, tight spaces with limited sunlight, decks, and balconies.

MAGAZINES & ZINES

The following magazines have had new issues come out in the last week. Standing orders are available; please contact your salesperson for periodicity and return requirements.

BELIEVER MAGAZINE #82: THE MUSIC ISSUE, W/CD (JUL/AUG 2011, W/CD)
Heidi Julavits, Ed Park, Vendela Vida, editors – $12.00
Perfect bound, with CD – Mostly two-color, some full color
A monthly magazine where length is no object. No ads, heavy- stock paper. Essays, book reviews, interviews, charts, and more timely features. This is their Music issue, and it includes a CD. In this issue: Brian Eno & David Mitchell; Martha Wainwright; David Byrne & Tom Ze; curious habits of Australian fandom; the ill-fated dashboard turntable; frankly discussing the bassoon; more.

BEST OF HIGH TIMES MAGAZINE #61 (SEPT 2011)
Dan Skye, editor – $6.99
Saddle-stitched – Color
Marijuana activism, pictures of marijuana, rock and roll, etc. This "Best Of" issue is their Grow Guide 2011 volume. In this issue: grow legal pot — how you can cultivate medical marijuana; secrets of master pot growers — money- saving tips and tricks; cloning made easy; top 10 strains; making hash; feeding plants; perfect growroom; more.

FEATURED ITEM: DICE MAGAZINE #38
Matt Davis, Dean Micetich, editors – $6.95
Perfect bound – Color
Cycles, cars, girls. Many color photos of all three. In this issue: Nick, Jon, Gary, Sara, Ryan, White Nights Part 6, Wes, C.L., Mcho #3, Danny, Knuckle, Mirko, more.

FEATURED ITEM: DORIS ZINE #28
Cindy Ovenrack – $2.50
Saddle-stitched – Black and white
Thoughtful, well written, always compelling. Cindy describes the ups and the downs; a classic and consistently great zine. In this issue: Stories about racism, buying land, getting mini horses, sleeping in forts, and the death of Cindy's grandparents and her friend.

FEATURED ITEM: HIGH TIMES MAGAZINE #428 (SEPT 2011)
Dan Skye, editor – $5.99
Saddle-stitched – Color
Marijuana activism, pictures of marijuana, rock and roll, etc. In this issue: inside a monster pot greenhouse; upgrade your grow; 25 best buys — growboxes, nutrients, hydro kits, security systems, and trimmers; all about lights; vaporizer buyer's guide, California's organic garden tips; Insane Clown Posse; more.

WAX POETICS MAGAZINE #47
Andre Torres, editor – $9.99
Perfect bound – Color
The definitive vinyl collectors journal. Beautifully laid out, features monsters of old jazz, funk, and hip hop. In this issue: heart & soul — Earth, Wind & Fire; Ramsey Lewis; Bobby Womack; Lamont Dozier; Roy C; Solomon Burke; Billy Ocean; Dennis Coffey; more.

WILD FERMENTATION: A DO-IT-YOURSELF GUIDE TO CULTURAL MANIPULATION (ZINE)
Sandor Ellix Katz – $6.00 – ISBN-13: 978-1-934620-17-5
Saddle-stitched – Two-color
A great resource for learning to use the microbes around you. Wanna learn how to make your own sourdough? Miso? Injera (Ethiopian sourdough) bread? It's in this handy dandy and super resourceful guide for fermenting in the comfort of your own home. Yummy home made sour cream! Buttermilk! Cheese and tempeh! DHelpful directions on how to ferment your own kimchi and other tasty, briny treats!

TATTOO/PIERCING/BODY MOD.

FEATURED ITEM: ICHIBAY
Ichibay – $40.00 – ISBN-13: 978-0-9798682-2-1
Softcover – Color and b&w
Prolific raw talent from this young tattoo artist, known as "Demon of Drawing." This is a slimmed down version of the first edition, in a smaller size with fewer pages. Please note: We cannot ship this book to Europe.

TEENAGERS

ANYA'S GHOST
Vera Brosgel – $15.99 – ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-552-0

See GRAPHIC NOVELS above.

LEVEL UP
Gene Luen, Thien Pham Yang – $15.99 – ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-235-2

See GRAPHIC NOVELS above.

TRUE CRIME

BLOOD IN, BLOOD OUT: THE VIOLENT EMPIRE OF THE ARYAN BROTHERHOOD
John Lee Brook – $19.95 – ISBN-13: 978-1-900486-77-4
Softcover –
From the center of the American penitentiary system, the Aryan Brotherhood came to dominate the billion dollar methamphetamine industry. This is the first book to give the full inside story of its incredible rise to power. In witty, entertaining prose, ex-convict John Lee Brook draws on his unique access to many of the Brotherhood's founding members, to tell the full story in fascinating detail.

RELISTED

The following titles had been taken out of our catalog, but they recently came back in stock — or else we found them on our stock shelves when we thought they were gone — so we've put them back on our Website.

I KILLED ADOLF HITLER
Jason – $12.95 – ISBN-13: 978-1-56097-828-2
Softcover – Color
In this graphic novel, Jason posits a strange world in which contract killers can be easily hired. One killer travels back in time to kill Hitler… but Hitler overpowers the assassin and sends himself to the present, leaving the killer stranded in the past. Rendered in Jason's crisp, deadpan, neo-clear-line style, augmented by lovely, understated coloring.

SIMPSONS COMICS ON PARADE
Matt Groening – $12.95 – ISBN-13: 978-0-06-09520-8
Softcover – Color
America's favorite nuclear family returns in this installment in the bestselling Simpsons comic compilations. This time, Springfield is buzzing with excitement as Marge does battle with airwave sleaze, Bart steps in as an emergency bus driver, and Homer takes on his worst enemy — his brain. Packed with the insane wit that has earned the TV show the Peabody Award and 10 Emmy Awards.

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?
Jason – $12.95 – ISBN-13: 978-1-56097-655-4
Softcover – Color
Imagine a never-produced Hitchcock "wrong man" screenplay, filmed by a modern minimalist like Jim Jarmusch. A moody 20-something wallowing in post-breakup depression finds himself in a paranoid's nightmare when his best friend is murdered and the blame is pinned on him. New relationships are forged, secrets are revealed… and the real killer returns.

CALL TO ORDER: 800/366-5121 or 415/824-6636
FAX ORDERS: 415/824-1836

More new items can be found on our Website at:

http://www.lastgasp.com/1/6/0/

Or, if you prefer a "list without pictures format":

http://www.lastgasp.com/2/0/

Graffiti Legends Risk & Cooz at 111 Minna Gallery

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Colin

Our friends at 111 Minna write:

Please join us this Thursday for one of the strongest exhibitions to be held at 111 Minna Gallery in quite some time.

Two man show w/ Graffiti Legends, RISK & COOZ

Opening on July 7th 5pm – Late

On July 7th, 111 Minna Gallery proudly presents, “That Was Then, This Is Now.” The first major collaborative exhibition by Kelly Graval and Nathan Ota, aka RISK and COOZ, reunites these artists whose friendship began before they would respectfully become graffiti legends in the streets and revered artists in galleries and museums across the globe.

The art of RISK, which is currently on exhibition with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and the Pasadena Museum of California Art, receives further notoriety in collaboration with COOZ at 111 Minna Gallery.

Risk and Nathan Ota collaborated together over 25 years ago when they were classmates in high school. After high school, they went their separate ways but reconnected once again through their mutual friends in the artist community. Two friends with similar beginnings eventually going into two different paths coming back together again with their newfound skills and maturity doing it again!

In a career spanning 28 years, RISK has impacted the evolution of graffiti as an art form worldwide. Risk is one of the most prolific graffiti artists to date. Los Angeles based, RISK gained major notoriety for his unique style and pushed the limits of graffiti further than any writer in L.A. had before: He was one of the first writers to paint freight trains, freeways,buses,and he pioneered writing on “heavens,” or freeway overpasses. At the peak of his career he took graffiti from the streets and into the gallery with the launch of the Third Rail series of art shows, and later parlayed the name into the first authentic line of graffiti-inspired clothing which led to the birth of the street wear genre.

Risk focuses on the traditional aesthetics of letter formation. He combines this with his unique deconstruction and color layering to achieve a visual texture of color and surroundings. Risk majored in Fine arts at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Ca. 1992. Risk is currently working on an installation for the Museum Of Contemporary Arts in Los Angeles.

For years, Nathan Ota has been pursuing new worlds, both dark and fantastic, to explore in his paintings. Ota has used his stand-ins – a blind bird, a drunk monkey, a one-eyed robot lost in the woods – to travel through dreamlands that hold fantasies and tragedies, even landing him in the unlikeliest destination – the world inside the artist’s own studio.

Nathan majored in Illustration and received his Bachelors degree at Art Center College of Art and Design, Pasadena Ca. 1993. Ota currently teaches at Otis College of Art and Design and Santa Monica City College.

“That Was Then, This Is Now” is Risk’s and Nathan’s first full body of work together after collaborating on a mural last year for Hurley. http://riskrock.com/

http://www.111minnagallery.com/

See the full gallery on Posterous