SNAPSHOTS OF SUNSETS: CALIFORNIA ABSTRACTION NOW
LYNN ALDRICH, CHARLES ARNOLDI, JANE CALLISTER, SHAUNA LA, KAREN LOFGREN, KIM MANFREDI, ED MOSES, RUBÉN ORTIZ TORRES, DAVID ALLAN PETERS, LADAN SEDIGHI, MICHAEL TODD
JUN 17 - JUL 8, 2023
Royale Projects, Los Angeles proudly presents "Snapshots of Sunsets: California Abstraction Now" at the Mónica Reyes Gallery in Mackenzie Heights. This exhibition celebrates the evolution and diversity of abstract art from Southern California, a dynamic region known for attracting and nurturing artists who continuously challenge artistic norms.
"Snapshots of Sunsets: California Abstraction Now" brings together esteemed seminal artists, established mid-career creatives, and emerging talents, collectively exploring the allure and influence of the Golden State. Through contemplation of color, light, space, material, and form, the exhibition captures the fleeting moments of inspiration found in dazzling sunsets, shimmering ocean surfaces, spacious desert solitude, and the dynamic energy of Los Angeles—a city synonymous with innovation and creativity.
At the heart of the exhibition, visitors will encounter masterful works from renowned artists who have shaped Southern California abstraction. Lynn Aldrich’s (1944 - ) unconventional use of materials and thoughtful construction evokes tranquility and introspection, echoing the serene ambiance of the Pacific coast while questioning our sense of belonging. Charles Arnoldi (1946 - ) disrupts the visual language of hard-edge painting, of which California artists were amongst the vanguard, with shattered composition and lyrical linework. The bold strokes by Ed Moses (1926-2018) vividly capture the grids of the Los Angeles freeways and the hues of the California skies while offering glimpses of something beyond. Michael Todd's (1935 - ) spray paintings utilize synthetic materials of the street and psychedelic colors of the West Coast landscapes to fashion immersive fields that simultaneously draw in and disorient viewers.
Joining these luminaries are visionary perspectives from Jane Callister (1963 - ) and Kim Manfredi (1964 - ), who independently explore paint as a medium, inviting you into worlds of hazy memories, imagination, dreams and emotion with their vivacious tones and expressive gestures. David Allan Peters’ (1969 - ) kaleidoscopic creations reveal underlying layers of color through a unique process of accumulation and excavation. Canadian expat, Karen Lofgren (1976 - ) and Mexican born Rubén Ortiz Torres (1964 - ) both employ the materials and ethos of automobile fetishism, alluding to and transcending the electrifying, urban lifestyles of East LA.
Continuing the tradition of non-traditional mediums, Ladan Sedighi (1977 - ) uses commercial materials to express the sensuality and luxury of her Persian heritage colliding with the sublime minimalism of the California Light & Space movement. Shauna La (1983 - ) mines industry, technology and her experience as a Radio Frequency Engineer to uncover the hidden world of vibration. Finished in pure pigment, her paintings are alive with movement that strives to represent the energies that surround us, flow through us and make us feel.
"Snapshots of Sunsets: California Abstraction Now" opens on June 17 2023 and will run through July 8 offering a captivating journey into artistic expression, showcasing vibrant compositions alongside contemplative creations. As the contemporary art world embraces the vitality and expressive power of abstraction, Southern California stands as a hotbed of change, continuously challenging the status quo. Breaking free from the confines of traditional representation, the artists in this exhibition beckon viewers to delve into their own interpretations, fostering a personal and transformative experience.
Royale Projects, Los Angeles at Mónica Reyes Gallery: 2895 W 33rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6N 2G3