Apr 30, 2008

interview with yoskay yamamoto

Name: Yoskay Yamamoto
Where were you born: Toba, Japan
Zodiac Sign: Gemini

When/Where was your first show?
yoskay: may, 2004
a group show in santa barbara, ca
@ urban legend store.
curated by david flores

Why do you paint?
yoskay: i don't know yet...

If you weren't an artist, what would you be doing?
yoskay: working for the man...

What was your worst job ever?
yoskay: working graveyard shift @ circle k in toba, japan

If money wasn't an issue, what would you collect?
yoskay: yoshitomo nara + taiyou matumoto's originals.

What is your favorite gadget?
yoskay: ipod

What is in your ipod/cd player/8-track?
yoskay: the blue hearts, the high-lows, the cro-magnons, ego wrappin'.

Guilty pleasure you don't want anyone to know about?
yoskay: i have many... but air supply is one of the newest.

What is your favorite midnight snack?
yoskay: haru-ulala

What is the last great art show you saw?
yoskay: it's not really a show but the documentary " traveling with yoshitomo nara".

Apr 28, 2008

oh snap

So the official preview link for Yoskay's show does not drop til tomorrow morning, but for those who keep tabs on the blog - you get to peek early.

Preview link

There are a few pieces not posted yet, but whats up is moving quickly. Hope to see you all Saturday night at the opening.

Apr 26, 2008

getting ready...for Y squared

Yoskay Yamamoto that is...

I really cannot wait to hang Yoskay's show this week. It does not seem like it but, it has been almost a year since we hosted Yoskay and Ogi's two man show. Now Yoskay takes the big leap with a solo, and really the FIRST solo show at project:gallery for any artist.




The pressure is on, but I have a feeling Yoskay is up for it...keep your eyes peeled, the online preview is coming soon! Email me if you want to be added to the list (info@projectgalleryLA.com)

Here is a little write up on Startdrawing.com about Yoskay with images from some older work. I cannot believe how far he has progressed as an artist both in technical ability and in his strong narrative.

See you all on May 3rd!

Apr 24, 2008

ovation TV

Our friend Megan over at Ovation TV is working to build up their online community, and has been putting together some killer on-air interstitials of artists work.

This one has Scott Belcastro's work...




and another with Yoskay and Nate Frizzell!



If you have not already, go join the Ovation TV community. They have some other great videos too...

you are not going to believe me...

...but Takashi Murakami himself rolled into the gallery yesterday.

I was up the street at our studio working on some things with Yoskay Yamamoto when I got an email from Kim titled "OMG" with the words "Murakami is here"


We made a mad dash for the gallery, but we missed him. He came in apparently to check out Erika Yamashiro's work - as she has been in several of his Geisai shows. Kim was too scared/embarrased to ask for an autograph...



Apparently he asked a bunch about Erika and then one of his friends got into Yoskay's work after picking up the show invite. I know this sounds like b.s. but go ask Kim...

Murakami made an appearance at the BAPE store opening last night too, but I am pretty sure he came to see Erika.

Apr 21, 2008

show photos

I just posted some photos to our flickr.

Don't forget to check out the actual work online though...

Apr 18, 2008

10 questions // Lindsay Campbell

We have very high hopes for emerging Canadian artist Lindsay Campbell. I expect she is already getting calls from galleries, but here is a chance for all of us to get to know her a bit better...



Name: Lindsay Campbell

Where were you born: Ottawa, Ontario

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

When/Where was your first show?
My first art show was at Attic Clothing (a vintage clothing store here in Ottawa) back in 2004.

Why do you paint?
I would be a very unhappy and frustrated person if I didn't.

If you weren't an artist, what would you be doing?
Animal Cop.



What was your worst job ever?
My current one, but it's also the best job I've ever had (if that makes sense?). I work at a Pet Hotel which means I get to play with dogs for hours on end, but I also have to clean up their poop, pee, and vomit.

If money wasn't an issue, what would you collect?
American Pit Bull Terriers.

What is your favorite gadget?
My bike.

What is in your ipod/cd player/8-track?
Xploding Plastix, Free Will & The Oneness Collective, Aim, Muleboy, Boards of Canada, CocoRosie, Manu Chao, DJ CPI

Guilty pleasure you don't want anyone to know about?
Sylvanian Families figures.

What is your favorite midnight snack?
Granola.

What is the last great art show you saw?
Stefan Thompson's latest at Wurm Gallery.

Thanks Lindsay! Cannot wait to see more from you...

20 questions // Cherri Wood

Well, really just 10. We wanted to get to know a little more about our artists this month so we asked some questions of Cherri Wood.




Name: cherri wood
Where were you born: la la land
Zodiac Sign: sagittarius

p: When/Where was your first show?
cw: the "paper pushers" show at gallery 1988/sf back in the summer i think.

p: Why do you paint?
cw: it keeps my head up in the clouds.

p:If you weren't an artist, what would you be doing?
cw: i would probably end up as a psychotherapist

p: What was your worst job ever?
cw: a clerk at a sad sad library




p: If money wasn't an issue, what would you collect?
cw: the entire john galliano fall05' collection

p: What is your favorite gadget?
cw: the ipod touch

p: What is in your ipod/cd player/8-track?
the kills, cars and trains, blockhead, bonobo, clint mansell.

p: Guilty pleasure you don't want anyone to know about?
cw: before it was canceled i used to watch the "bedford diaries".....that was pretty sad.

p: What is your favorite midnight snack?
cw: cucumbers

p: What is the last great art show you saw?
cw: the "paris 1900: graphic design in revolt" at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Thanks Cherri!

You can see more of Cherri Wood's work in our show this Saturday or take a look online.

Apr 15, 2008

friendly confines // preview online

Spending the day getting ready for this weekend's show with lisa alisa, erika yamashiro, cherri wood and lindsay campbell. The work is looking great and we already are getting quite a few requests for the young ladies...

*** UPDATE ***

Just posted the online preview. This will not get to list until tomorrow, but I figure you get a bonus for reading through my blog! Feel free to email if you are interested in any work: info@projectgalleryLA.com

Apr 14, 2008

ken tanaka // royal/T addendum

Almost forgot to mention we ran into our friend Ken Tanaka at the Royal/T party. Ken sent me this great video clip from the party. He even got a little love in there for Yoskay and Tessar!

check it out:

royal/T

We had plans to visit a couple of shows this weekend, but one pretty much stood out. The grand opening of Royal/T a new store/cafe/museum/gallery in Culver City a few blocks away from project:

Owned by Susan Hancock, a relative newcomer to the fine art world, Royal/T is a converted warehouse space that Ms. Hancock has turned into an amazing showcase of her personal collection. A collection that includes Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara, Aya Takano and many more very impressive works...



Above: a series of Nara's "little sleepwalkers" dreamily cruising below a huge Aya Takano.
Below: New starting Center's for the NY Knicks, Hustler of Culture - Souris, and the soon to be Mrs. Christine LeBasse





above: a huge plush Murakami Guardian
below: The damn maid/dealer that kept plying us with espresso martini's...that kept me up til about 3am.



In addition to a very extensive collection of Japanese pop art, Ms. Hancock had a section of the wall adorned with huge photos of CosPlay kids from Tokyo.



To go along with the whole Harajuku/Cosplay theme, all of the waitresses for the evening - and for the cafe when it opens, will be dressed as french maids. Somehow I think Royal/T will be a popular spot for team project:

below: Artists Tessar Lo and Yoskay Yamamoto chatting up one of the french maids that were serving food and beverages all night.



We had fully intended to visit several shows that night, but Royal/T was just so ridiculously awesome - yes awesome - we had to stay to shut it down. If you missed the opening, they are open weekly, so make sure to swing down!


Apr 10, 2008

scott belcastro joins in the fun

Never really got around to welcoming artist Scott Belcastro to LA and to the internet. We pushed him into joining the electronic revolution and he is now a blogging fiend.

Scott is working on some sweet new paintings for some shows this summer and will actually have a few originals on the walls at Atmosphere in Los Feliz.

Here is a new painting of his that is just stunning:



You really need to see his work in person to appreciate the subtle blending of color and the minute detail in his paintings. One to watch for sure...

Apr 8, 2008

saturday's shows

A little late in posting, but here was day 2 in our weekend of gallery hopping. Its pretty rare that I can do shows on back to back nights, but since "color blind" was last week, and I have some time before our next show we cruised...

First stop Bergamot Station to check out the many openings, starting with a Low Brow exhibition at Robert Berman.





Stopped in to see Jeff Gillete at Copro Nason - great show by the way...and also ran into talented artists Kent Williams and Mari Inukai...



Final stop for the night at Kinsey/DesForges for a beautiful show from Ryan McClennan.

Tessar and Scott were interested in something...I am not sure what...





The lovely duo of Kinsey/DesForges and a great piece by Ryan. Really nice young artist, with a ton of talent. Wish I had a bigger budget.





...and finally The Freddi C showing off...

Apr 6, 2008

friday night shenanigans: Yumiko and Blek

Actually spent two nights hitting art shows, but only posting Friday right now...its almost too much to handle.

Started off Friday night at the Yumiko Kayukawa show at La Luz.



This was a very impressive, and already sold out show! Yumiko is one of those artists, that's work is even better in person. Very tight and well painted...and certainly worth every penny of her prices.





The show piece was pretty amazing - especially for me being born in the year of the Tiger. Just dated myself...



Finally some photos of Sweet Yumiko.


After the Yumiko show we rolled to the Blek le Rat preview at Shepard Fairey's new Subliminal Projects Gallery. I guest blogged a review for Hi-Fructose Magazine, and you can check my full brief here.

Apr 3, 2008

i hate art

...I really don't, but i do hate when i miss out on stuff i want!

My friend Jon just turned me on to a piece from UK street artists Miss Bugs, and I really want this piece "Wonderful Angel of Death"


They had some on sale last night, but they got so many hits their site crashed - and is still crashed.

Somebody get me this. I will make it worth your while...

Apr 2, 2008

jack long on paper tiger

I don't think its supposed to be posted til tomorrow, but we got the scoop from our friends at Paper Tiger that they are doing a limited edition print with Jack Long. I peeked and its already available and online.



The print looks great, and was actually made from a private commission, so no one has seen it yet or for that matter ever...

Apr 1, 2008

backstage pass

On the way out to Riverside to see the "Big Sad" show, I stopped to pick up artists Yoskay Yamamoto and Edwin Ushiro. I took a few pictures of their studios, and snuck a few preview pics of work that we will see completed for their upcoming solo exhibitions this summer.




Yoskay has a toy coming out with Munky King that is going to be ridiculous. We are actually doing a project: colorway too! You can get a peek at a giant painting Yosk is working on, which is the original character that inspired the vinyl...

Edwin on the other hand is just getting started on some pieces for his show. His studio is a little more tidy too...

This big piece is still in process, but has a self portrait included.





I am really looking forward to Edwin's show - as I really regret passing on a piece in his last show. I hate to say it, but I am telling you all now that I got dibs. Sorry, but its kind of why I got into this...

I really love seeing where and how artists work...hopefully you do too.