December Artist Update

LBP artist are keeping busy this month. Nate Frizzell, on the heels of his solo exhibition, just painted another work for a show at The Hundreds which will be showcased along with work from some great artists.

Yoskay Yamamoto just released an amazing piece of functional art in the form of a limited edition porcelain teacup. You should order one here right now.

We are also getting ready for a very busy January here at the gallery. On January 8th we will be previewing work from some of the artists showing here in 2011 and then later in the month we will be hosting an exhibition featuring the work of Korean Contemporary artists - many showing in the US for the first time.

Andrew Hem will also be featured at the LA Art Show, painting a 12' x 12' canvas as part of the LA Art Machine's exhibit at the fair.

Recently Melissa Haslam was featured as part of publisher Curvy's exhibit in Sydney. They made some oversize banners for the exhibit in which we can see Haslam's work in scale.

Print Release: Nate Frizzell

After his highly successful show, Nate Frizzell has just released a print on Paper Tiger. Its a really nice oversize print and a very small edition so go grab one before they are gone.

Video: Melissa Haslam

Melissa Haslam: Painting from Suzie Haslam on Vimeo.

LBP artist Melissa Haslam recently released this video showing some behind the scenes in her studio. Melissa will be taking part in several events in Australia this month for Curvy and you will be seeing her stateside again soon.

More details coming.

November News

Nate Frizzell 'I Should Know Who I Am By Now.' from Jeremy Asher Lynch.

It has been a busy month so far here at LBP with the recent opening of Nate Frizzell and Eric Fortune's shows. The opening was very well received with numerous reviews and accolades for both artists. You can catch images of the opening on our flickr page.

Thank you also to Jeremy Lynch and Darrin Unke for producing the video teaser for Frizzell's show (seen above).

Make sure to drop in to see the show before it comes down December 4th.

Nate Frizzell @ LeBasse Projects (11/6)

LeBasse Projects Fall Season continues a run of exhibitions with Nate Frizzell's second solo show with the gallery titled ‘I Should Know Who I Am By Now’

The new exhibit continues to revolve around the themes of self-discovery through an examination of the human condition. The exploration of personal identity and individual choices made over the course of a lifetime are viewed in Frizzell’s winter themed paintings and his first sculptural elements.

To make the opening even more a must see show we will be showcasing Eric Fortune in the Project Room. New preview images coming soon.

Mark your calendars.
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 6th, 7-10pm

LeBasse Projects @ The Portsmouth Museum of Art

The Portsmouth Museum of Art and LeBasse Projects present:

‘SugiPOP!:
The Influence of Anime and Manga on Contemporary Art’

October 13th 2010 – January 16th 2011
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 14th 2010

PORTSMOUTH, NH – ‘SugiPOP!: The Influence of Anime and Manga on Contemporary Art’ opens on October 13th at the Portsmouth Museum of Art. The show is a collaborative effort, co-curated by Beau Basse of LeBasse Projects in Los Angeles and Katherine Doyle of the Portsmouth Museum of Art. It features the work of approximately 30 artists tracing the origination's of manga, the rise of Japanese Contemporary Art and into how the art forms have influenced artists around the world.

The exhibition features an international roster of artists including Japanese masters Hokusai and Kuniyoshi in a display of original Edo period woodblock prints. The exhibit also features Japanese Contemporary artists Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara, Yoshitaka Amano, Mr., Ai Yamaguchi, Junko Mizuno and Hisashi Tenmyouya. International artists contributing to the exhibit include KAWS, Gary Baseman, Simone Legno, Natalia Fabia, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Yumiko Kayukawa, Seonna Hong, Hush, Morgan Slade, Edwin Ushiro, Luke Chueh, Andrew Hem, Mike Shinoda, Melissa Haslam, Audrey Kawasaki, Yoskay Yamamoto and more. Finally the exhibition includes original cels from some of the most significant anime films ever made, including Cowboy Bebop and Princess Mononoke.

For more information contact@lebasseprojects.com

Thomas Doyle 'Firing for Effect'

LBP artist Thomas Doyle recently participated in the Grand Rapids Michigan 'ArtPrize' event taking place all over the city. Part arts festival, part social experiment, the international contest is decided solely by public vote. Thousands of venues and artists place work on display across the city for a $250k first prize.

Thomas Doyle submitted a new piece titled 'Firing for Effect' and was chosen to showcase his work at the Grand Rapids Museum.

For more images of this amazing piece visit Doyle's ArtPrize page and contact LeBasse Projects for inquiries.

Shows: Herakut @ LeBasse Projects 9.18

‘Hope’s Reply’
New work from Herakut

September 18th – October 31st 2010
Artist reception: Saturday, September 18th, 7-10p

Los Angeles, CA – German art duo Herakut and LeBasse Projects proudly present ‘Hope’s Reply.’ The exhibition features 10 new canvas mixed media paintings showcasing Herakut's unique style and aesthtics.

German artists Hera and Akut have been operating under the name of Herakut since 2004, when they began producing collaborative pieces in the burgeoning street art scene.

The visual and textual content of their work is an insightful expression of their generation's mental state. Much of their subject matter involves narrative and character studies involving multilayered textual explorations. Herakut are masters of creating independent, self-contained worlds full of melancholy and profound humor and in doing so, they see themselves as a part of an overall cultural movement, without any artistic barriers between a wide array of mediums, be it drawing, text, music or film.

Through the strength of their work, coupled with the demand for their unique style, Herakut are now regarded as some of the most exciting contemporary artists working today. Their ability to work seamlessly both on the street and in a gallery setting has only added to their collector base.

‘Hope’s Reply’ is a response to their huge installations and Herakut will go in an opposite direction with a smaller number of more finished canvases. The new work is heavily layered and collaged and will be displayed in a more ‘white walls’ style exhibition where the work can no doubt be appreciated for its intricate detailing.

Alexandros Vasmoulaki Going Global

Greek artist Alexandros Vasmoulakis has been crossing the globe getting up on huge city walls. Recently he partnered up with a group in Shenzen China and with his usual partner Paris in Slovenia for the mural above.

Slovenia project below:

Interview: David Choong Lee

LA's People Map_David Lee.

Thanks to blogger Niki for posting a great impromptu interview as we opened David Choong Lee's recent solo show. Make sure to see this amazing installation before it comes down on September 10th.

Seen: David Choong Lee Opening Recepion

David Choong Lee's show opened this weekend and it was an unquestioned hit for all that attended. This is a show that is a must see for both the scale and level of detail in the body of work over 4 years in the making.

The preview is now online at LeBasseProjects.com and opening photos are on our flickr page.

For a better look drop into the gallery to view in person.

Shows: David Choong Lee :: Aug. 14th

LeBasse Projects is proud to announce David Choong Lee’s exhibition, ‘Acquiring Signal’ – his first major solo in Los Angeles

‘Acquiring Signal’ will be David Choong Lee’s second major Installation based exhibition. Completely wrapping the gallery walls, Lee’s 500+ piece installation pays homage to street people and the cities they inhabit. A combination of paintings and sculptures, his large scale wall collage will be his most inventive architectural work to date.

Based out of San Francisco’s street art movement, Korean born artist Lee reflects on social conditions within youth culture, urban environments and generation “next,” tapping into both American and Korean visual aesthetics. Sociopolitical and economic issues surrounding homelessness and youth populations are at the heart of Lee’s paintings, which play with the subcultures’ politics of power, judgment and perception. Lee’s on-location assemblages embody concepts that float between his choice of subject matter, material and technique. The graffiti-like amalgamations fold in traditional figurative portraiture and promote public discourse, challenging the notion of what is considered fine art.

David Choong Lee :: Acquiring Signal
LeBasse Projects
Opening: Saturday August 14th, 7-10pm

Summer News @ LBP

Put August 14th on your calendars as LeBasse Projects will showcase a mammoth installation from SF based David Choong Lee. The exhibition will feature more than 500 pieces from Lee's body of work and will take up the entire gallery space - a first for any artist in our gallery. Lee is coming off his solo exhibition in 2009 at the University of Arizona's Joseph Gross Museum and will be showcasing work from that series along with new paintings from the last year.

Also keep a look out for LBP artists showing across the country. Andrew Hem, Nate Frizzell and Morgan Slade all take part in the Invitational show at Jonathan Levine NY this week. In early September you will see Yoskay Yamamoto and Edwin Ushiro in Seattle at RoqlaRue.

More news soon about upcoming fairs in San Diego and the return to LA by the German duo Herakut...

Melissa Haslam @ LeBasse Projects

LeBasse Projects presents:

'Botanica'
New Work from Melissa Haslam

Opening Reception: Saturday, July 17th, 7-10pm

Australian artist Melissa Haslam has based her recent paintings on the relationship between humans and the natural world. Specifically focused on interrupted cycles of life, her figures surrender to nature and allow themselves to be overtaken by the wild and lush landscape that the artist so beautifully creates.

In 'Botanica,' Haslam continues to explore her fascination between the idea of femininity and nature. As flowers and roots take over the canvas, her figures react as reminders of our symbiotic relationship with nature. Her female characters take on animal characteristics - sometimes playing aggressively and other times placid. In the animal world this kind of playfulness becomes preparation for the violence that is needed for survival, a primitive state of existence that is present in human nature but disguised by civilization.

For preview information please contact the gallery: 310.558.0200

Morgan Slade @ LBP

'Savage Justice'
New Work from Morgan Slade

Opening Reception: Saturday, July 17th, 7-10pm

Morgan Slade creates one of a kind mixed media paintings by altering his own digital photographs of scantily clad women with paint, pen, pencil and collage he transforms straightforward images to chaotic madness. His pieces prey on primitive natural instincts with a youthful aesthetic appeal and bright, vibrant colors. By defacing exceptionally attractive people, Slade aesthetically changes his figures to appear flawed in some manner. He creates visual metaphors of consumerism, advertising and technology by inventing his own symbols or by appropriating familiar icons.

For 'Savage Justice' Slade goes one step further by collaborating with iconic designer Betsey Johnson. This exhibition was shot on location in the Betsey Johnson flagship store in Los Angeles utilizing clothing and models from Johnson's own line.

For more info visit: LeBasse Projects

Print Release: Yoskay Yamamoto @ LBP (7/10)

Yoskay Yamamoto: ' Familiar Strangers'
CLOSING Reception: Saturday, July 10th, 5-8pm

The gallery will host a closing reception this Saturday for artist Yoskay Yamamoto's solo exhibition.

In conjunction with the closing reception the gallery will release a series of limited edition giclee prints. Yamamoto's extremely popular 'Four Seasons' series of paintings will be released as prints at the closing.

Each 'Season' will be released in an edition of only 20. Sales will be first come first served on the night of the closing, with a few prints to be released Monday the 12th online at: Paper Tiger.

Mikito Ozeki in the Project Room

Japanese paper cut artist Mikito Ozeki is on our Project Room this month, and with all the excitement about Yoskay Yamamoto's sculptures and paintings, you still need to see these unbelievable pieces from Ozeki.

The artist freehand 'draws' with an exacto blade and creates stunningly detailed paper cut pieces.

See more on his YouTube page.

Yoskay Yamamoto :: Saturday June 12th

This weekend we open the third solo exhibition from Yoskay Yamamoto. The exhibit is an amazing combination of painting and sculpture showing off Yamamoto's range of talents. Join us this Saturday...

‘Familiar Strangers’
New work from Yoskay Yamamoto

June 12th – July 3rd 2010
Artist reception: Saturday, June 12th, 7-10p

Los Angeles, CA – LeBasse Projects is proud to announce, 'Familiar Strangers,' a solo exhibition from Japanese artist Yoskay Yamamoto. This will be the artist’s third solo exhibition with the gallery, and will mark his most diverse body of work to date. The show represents a breakthrough in work from Yamamoto containing both painting and sculptural work. The show will reflect a continuation of intimate statements of self-expression that began in his last series of exhibitions.

You can view a preview online at: lebasseprojects.com/current

Culver City Artwalk :: Saturday June 5th

The Culver City Artwalk is coming up again and LeBasse Projects will be hosting its annual group showcase. This year several new artists will be exhibiting in the gallery including Jean-Pierre Roy, Adam Wallacavage, Ryan Schude, Greg Gossel, Marissa Textor (pictured), Jonathan Darby and Andres Guerrero.

Also on view will be some new work from the gallery's artists like Andrew Hem, Nate Frizzell, Edwin Ushiro, Melissa Haslam, Herakut, Thomas Doyle and Blaine Fontana.

Culver City Artwalk 2010
Group Showcase
Saturday, June 5th, Noon-8pm

Email contact@lebasseprojects.com for preview info

SF Fine Art Fair :: May 20-23

LeBasse Projects is excited to announce our attendance at the SF Fine Art Fair.

SF Fine Art Fair
May 20-23, 2010
Fort Mason, San Francisco

We will be taking new work from several artists including Edwin Ushiro, Melissa Haslam, Seonna Hong, Alexandros Vasmoulakis and more. The gallery will be located in booth #17 just off the Main Art Lounge.

For free day passes courtesy of the gallery please visit here or contact us at 310.558.0200

Blaine Fontana @ LBP April 24th

In addition to Thomas Doyle releasing a new series of sculptures this weekend, LeBasse Projects will also feature a return to the gallery for Blaine Fontana. After a several year hiatus from gallery shows, Fontana is returning with a full body of paintings that have been in development over the last year.

Blaine will also be adding an installation mural and have some gift giveaways for those who come early. Join us Saturday:

Blaine Fontana
'The Golden Record'
Saturday, April 24th 7-10pm

Add yourself to the FB RSVP here.

Thomas Doyle @ LBP (4.24.10)

Opening in our Project Room, the gallery presents Thomas Doyle's first Los Angeles solo show. Doyle's work mines the debris of memory through the creation of intricate worlds sculpted in 1:43 scale and smaller. Often sealed under glass, the works depict the remnants of things past - whether major, transformational experiences, or the quieter moments that resonate loudly throughout a life.

For 'Collateral Damage,' Doyle continues to explore the impact of memory through his Distillation Series. Based on the premise that a personality can be distilled down to certain key formative events, the work in this series centers on the home and family life. Doyle begins with this safe, archetypal space, then distorts reality through a warped and dreamlike lens, in much the same way the mind recalls events through the fog of time. The result is a world where houses are inverted, earth crumbles away, and people sink into the ground - all trapped under glass and frozen in time.

Thomas Doyle :: 'Collateral Damage'
Opening Saturday, April 24th, 2010
LeBasse Projects
6023 Washington Blvd.

There is a great interview with Doyle on our friend Amanda Erlanson's site here.

Showcase Series :: San Francisco :: April 2nd

LBP is on San Francisco this week opening our second 'Showcase Series' after a successful run to NY last Fall. For this show the gallery is adding some new artists to the roster with Herakut, Seonna Hong and Alexandros Vasmoulakis. Also included are Yoskay Yamamoto, Nate Frizzell, Edwin Ushiro, Melissa Haslam and Andrew Hem.

We hope you can join us for this four day exhibition in SF's Japantown. We are taking over a beautiful gallery space from April 1-4th. The Artists Reception opens Friday April 2nd from 7-10pm.

More details at LeBasseProjects.com

Here are a few previews from our setup...

Two big shows for LBP artists

Two of the LBP artists are opening their first big solo shows outside of Los Angeles this week.

Edwin Ushiro opens his first solo exhibition in NY at Sloan Fine Art titled "At Night, Lights Fell and Loved Ones returned Home" on Thursday March 24, 2010 from 6-8pm. If you are on the East Coast go to this show and see Edwin's work in person....you will not be disappointed.



Nate Frizzell also debuts his solo show in the UK at Bath's bo.lee gallery.
"Every New Beginning Starts with Another Beginnings End" is a new body of work as Frizzell switches to using oils for the first time in his gallery career. The show opens March 26th from 6-8.30pm.

For info on either of these shows contact the gallery directly or email us here in LA.

Opening: Alexandros Vasmoulakis :: March 20th

LeBasse Projects presents:

"Is Everybody Happy?"
A Solo Exhibition by Alexandros Vasmoulakis

March 20th – April 17th, 2010
Opening reception: Saturday, March 20th, 7pm-10pm


Los Angeles, CA - LeBasse Projects is excited to present, Is Everybody Happy?, the first US solo exhibition from Greek artist Alexandros Vasmoulakis. In this anticipated solo project, Vasmoulakis brings his first major body of work to the US after becoming recognized across Europe for his work both on the streets and in galleries.

Vasmoulakis is mostly known by his work in the streets of Athens, as he has painted on and embellished various buildings across the city of Athens, Greece and is expected to do the same here in Los Angeles. While recognized for his street work, Vasmoulakisʼ paintings are beginning to reflect the maturity of his work as an artist.

His worksʼ main theme is the psychology of his figures. The struggle, the element of the conflict dominates in the pairs of his figures and in each character separately. With the perceptive analysis of his characters Vasmoulakis achieves through his work, he persuades us that he has penetrated into their mentality by holding a role of a competent and gifted anatomist, of an expressive soul searcher.

Alexandrosʼ work is predominantly character based and these creations explore the core values of human nature such as love, desire, seduction and hate. His work is very much driven by his state of mind and will reflect the mood of any given day. He uses mixed media including both collage and paint to convey the relationships between these emotions

Yoshitaka Amano in the LA Times

Our current exhibition with Yoshitaka Amano was recently reviewed in the LA Times. Thanks to reporter Liesl Bradner for the positive comments. You can read the full article online here.

Don't forget that the last day to see the exhibit is this Saturday March 13th.

Yoskay Yamamoto Installation and Release Event

Saturday night we open with two unbelievable shows. Yoshitaka Amano, the legendary and influential Japanese artist and animator is going to be complimented by our own rising star Yoskay Yamamoto.

Yoskay is putting in a huge installation in our Project Room and debuting his first limited edition sculpture - a cast resin wall mounted 'Face.' We are releasing these at the gallery on Saturday and don't expect to have them last more than a few minutes...

Join us this weekend.

Yoshitaka Amano @ LeBasse Projects

LeBasse Projects presents:

"Deva Loka: Los Angeles"
A Solo Exhibition by Yoshitaka Amano

February 20th – March 13th, 2010
Opening reception: Saturday, February 20th, 7pm-10pm

LeBasse Projects is excited to present, Deva Loka: Los Angeles, an exhibition of work from Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano.

Legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano will make a rare U.S. appearance with his newest exhibit, DEVA LOKA, created especially for a U.S exhibition and named for the ancient Indian land of God. As an ode to his childhood love for American comics, culture and automobiles, Amano’s latest breathtaking and vibrant pieces are boldly coated with auto paint and metallic glitter.

Amano is widely acclaimed for his work in animation and video games. He is renowned for designing the characters for the hit video game, Final Fantasy, as well as for anime films including Vampire Hunter D, Guin Saga, Final Fantasy, and Front Mission.

Deva Loka will be Amano’s first major exhibition in Los Angeles.

Tessar Lo and Nimit Malavia in Toronto

Two of our favorite Canadians are showing in their home town of Toronto this weekend. Tessar Lo and Nimit Malavia look like they have done some fantastic new work for their respective solo shows opening February 6th.

Our friend and TBA Magazine contributor Amanda Erlanson just posted great interviews with both on her blog. Make sure to check out the exhibit at Show and Tell.

Opening Photos :: Andrew Hem + Rebecca Urias

Saturday night was the kickoff of the 2010 calendar for many galleries and the neighborhood energy created an even larger than normal buzz around Andrew Hem’s opening at LeBasse Projects. Andrew put together a fantastic body of new work, featuring very personal paintings, some extraordinary charcoal drawings and a series of small sculptures all painted by Hem. The image above is a process picture of Hem working on a small mural in the gallery entrance.

The show will be up through the 13th of February so make sure to drop in if you missed the opening…or visit the work online here.

Also showing is Portland based artist Rebecca Artemisa Urias making a return to LA. Rebecca was also in attendance along with an entourage of family, friends and collectors who came to see her new work, which was featured in our Project Room.

You can see a full photo montage at DailyduJour.

Opening :: Andrew Hem :: Jan 16th

LeBasse Projects could not be more excited to be hosting Andrew Hem's solo exhibition. As a long time fan of his work I really believe this is his strongest body of work to date. Emotionally deep paintings, amusing sculptures and haunting charcoals comprise a truly complete solo exhibit.

You can see all the work online now, but I hope you join us this Saturday, January 16th from 7-10pm for the Artist Reception.

Interview: Andrew Hem

As we get ready for Andrew Hem's solo exhibition at the gallery, our neighbor blog "Erratic Phenomena" has run another in depth interview with the artist. Here is an excerpt:

"Andrew was still at work finishing up a few sculptures for the exhibit when he sat down to tell me a bit about where he's coming from right now.

Erratic Phenomena: In our last interview, you said, "I love creating worlds that do not exist. A world where people don't care about others' appearance, and nobody has to worry about fitting in or being an outcast. Where everyone is accepted... I've experienced and witnessed too many times where people are disgusted with the different." Growing up as one of the few Asians in a Hispanic Los Angeles neighborhood was not a particularly pleasant experience for you, and you didn't really find acceptance there until you began to paint graffiti in high school. Is this dream of a world without bias an idea you've contemplated all your life? Do you make a conscious effort to draw attention to our ingrained xenophobia in your work?

Andrew Hem: I just enjoy seeing different cultures in one image. Every time I'm in LAX, I spend extra time looking around in the international section. That's the only place I know where you have so many races in one place. For some strange reason, I enjoy being there. Maybe it's because everybody's so busy trying to catch a plane that they don't really pay attention to their surroundings. You could find any ethnicity at any time at LAX, and nobody looks twice. I just want to transfer that feeling into my work."

Read the full interview at: commandax.blogspot.com

Tonight: Closing Reception for Linda Kim and Scott Belcastro

Tonight, Saturday the 9th is the last opportunity to see Scott Belcastro and Linda Kim's shows before we turn it over to start our 2010 calendar. Hope you can join us from 6-8pm or stop by during the day...