If the Lowbrow (what a horrible genre name) art movement has an epicenter, it's the La Luz De Jesus gallery. A show here can make or break you. Their annual "Everything But The Kitschen Sync" group show is the underground equivalent to The Whitney Biennial.
"There's always next year". Those were the last words of my very nice rejection letter, regarding my submission for this year's show. Sour grapes? Not at all. I was just one of over 7,000 people who received the same notice.
There are 123 artists represented in this year's show and somewhere in the vicinity of 225 pieces. It's kind of an overwhelming assault on the senses. Which is pretty much the point. Lowbrow art doesn't coddle you. More often than not, it violates your comfort zone. Snow White hanging limp from a noose, the dwarves circled around her, Dopey inconsolable, is one of the first images you encounter. Jose Ontiveros plays with the Disney mythos in several paintings in the show.
"The End" by Jose Rodolfo Loaiza Ontiveros
Elsewhere, Click Mort gives porcelin form to nightmarish domesticity.
"A Peck For Daddy" by Click Mort
Mark Ryden casts a large shadow over many of these artists, as is evident by the frequent focus on raw meat. None more beautifully than by Monica Malewska.
"Hummingbirds With Bacon" by Monika Malewska
If you live anywhere near L.A., you owe it to yourself to see this show. It's running from March 4-28 (at 4633 Hollywood Blvd). The prices of the art are insanely reasonable, and as of last night, many were still available.
One last thing. If you're unfamiliar with La Luz, let me give you a tip. There's a "hidden" wall on the northeast side of the gallery. It's easy to miss, but if you look, you will find a couple of the stand-out pieces in the show. "Timekeeper" by Munk One, and "Winter Wonderland" by Antonio Roybal. Keep a close eye on those two. You'll know their name's soon enough.
"Timekeeper" - Munk One
"Winter Wonderland" - Antonio Roybal
-KrossD
(all photos by Keith Ross Dugas)
For A. Roybal...awesome to see your art here.
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