Museum of Latin American Art: “INK-stories on skin”
Learn about Los Angeles tattoo history, from the Pike, to Pachucos, to the Prison systems, old East LA and into today. Stories of struggle and adversity translated onto the skin through photos, original paintings, acetates, and live tattoo performances in the museum’s “tattoo shop.” Organized by Christopher Brand and Evan Skrederstu, the “tattoo shop” area titled The Legacy of Los Angeles Tattoo is a site-specific mural surrounded by the collaborative work of over 40 tattooers ranging from the deceased masters to living and legendary, to generations on down, who have influenced the industry locally and worldwide.
On view August 26, 2018 — February 3, 2019
The 8th Continent Art Exhibit
Madagascar is an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa that is home to thousands of animal species found nowhere else on earth. For this reason, it has been nicknamed the 8th Continent. In fact, an astonishing 90% of its flora & fauna can only be found on the island, making the gradual loss of its indigenous species truly a global loss.
On October 1st in Downtown Los Angeles, a unique art show will celebrate the beauty of Madagascar & its fauna while raising money for their protection. With the help of reptile expert Daniel Solis, Bill Strand of the Chameleon Breeder Podcast, chameleon breeders Kammerflage Creations, nature photographer Andrea Pico Estrada and a select group of contemporary artists, art and science will collide in a whole new way.
Attendees will be able to view live Madagascar-native animals up close in zoo-quality environments, as well as participate in an art auction featuring pieces inspired by those very same animals. It will truly be a one-of-a-kind experience. Please note: 30% of profits will be donated to Madagascar conservation efforts. Light refreshments provided.
Contributing Artists Include:
Evan Skrederstu, UGLAR Works, Chris Brand, Espi, Steve Martinez, Rob Sato, Chuey Quintanar, Antonio Mejia, Alex Nunez, Ako Castuera, Michael Alvarez, Andrea Pico Estrada, Jose A. Lopez, Ricardo Estrada and Ryan Gattis.
When:
One Day Only!
October 1, 2016.
Private Opening & Auction at 2:00-4:30pm,
Open to the Public from 6:00-9:00pm
Where:
PYO Gallery
1100 S Hope Street #105
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Media Opportunities:
Photograph live Madagascar-native animals; Lemur, Chameleons and more.
Artist interviews.
High-resolution images available upon request.
High end original artwork; paintings, sculptures and photography.
Gallery: LA Art Show 2016
All photos by Sick One. Big thanks to MCLA and everyone who came out to see us at the LA Art Show this year!
Chris Brand to Speak at Morikami Museum
In conjunction with the Perseverance exhibit, Chris Brand will be speaking about his many years'-long project, "The 108 Heroes of Los Angeles," at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. This rare event will take place on April 8, 2016 at 7:15PM.
Please visit the Morikami Museum's website for more details and tickets.
"Perseverance" Exhibit Travels To Morikami Museum
The Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles's successful art exhibit—Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World—continues to travel around the country. Located in Delray Beach, Florida, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is the latest institution to offer the unique opportunity to view this beautiful collection of photographs. Features the work of Chris Brand, Evan Skrederstu and Espi. If you're in Florida, go and see it before it leaves. On exhibit from February 26 — May 8, 2016.
Press release is below:
"This exhibition explores the artistry of traditional Japanese tattoos along with its rich history and influence on modern tattoo practices. Perseverance underscores Japanese tattooing as an art form by acknowledging its roots in ukiyo-e prints and examining current practices and offshoots of Japanese tattooing in the U.S. and Japan. As Japanese tattoos have moved into the mainstream, the artistry and legacy of Japanese tattooing remain both enigmatic and misunderstood. Often copied by practitioners and aficionados in the West without regard to its rich history, symbolism, or tradition, the Japanese tattoo as a form of art is commonly reduced to a visual or exotic caricature. Conversely, mainstream Japanese culture still dismisses the subject itself as underground, associating it more with some of its clientele than with the artists practicing it. Both of these mindsets ignore the vast artistry and rich history of the practice.
Although tattooing is largely seen as an underground activity in Japan, Japanese tattoo artists have pursued their passions, applied their skills, and have risen to become internationally acclaimed artists. Through the endurance and dedication of these tattoo artists, Japanese tattooing as a genre of art has persevered, and is now internationally renowned for its artistry, lineage, historical symbolism, and skill.
Perseverance features the work of seven internationally acclaimed tattoo artists, Ryudaibori (formerly Horitaka), Horitomo, Chris Horishiki Brand, Miyazo, Shige, Junii, and Yokohama Horiken, along with tattoo works by selected others. Through the display of a variety of photographs, including life-sized pictures of full body tattoos, these artists cover a broad spectrum of the current world of Japanese tattooing."
Past Shows: "Perseverance" at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presented JANM's exhibit, Perseverance, from May 29 — November 29, 2015. From their press release:
"Organized by the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, Japanese Tattoo: Perseverance, Art, and Tradition focuses on the work of seven internationally acclaimed tattoo artists –Ryudaibori (formerly Horitaka), Horitomo, Chris Horishiki Brand, Miyazo, Shige, Junii, and Yokohama Horiken – inspired by the Japanese tradition of tattooing and heavily influenced by the traditional Japanese arts of calligraphy and ukiyo-e woodblock printmaking.
Specially commissioned photographs of work by each artist will be displayed alongside tools and relief carvings, as well as a recreated Torii. A companion book of the same title features additional photographs and writings, and is published by the Japanese American National Museum.
Japanese Tattoo: Perseverance, Art, and Tradition is created, designed and photographed by Kip Fulbeck, and curated by Takahiro Kitamura (Ryudaibori, formerly Horitaka)."
LA Art Show 2016
UGLARworks is pleased to announce its participation in the LA Art Show 2016, in collaboration with MCLA and Willie Herrón III. It runs from January 28 — 31, 2016. Please visit the official site for more details. Press release information is below:
"Street Art has had a coming of age in Los Angeles. Part of the urban landscape since the 1920s street art has evolved to include: murals, stenciled works, prints and traditional graffiti. Today it has become one of the cores of contemporary art. From the Streets to Canvas is a celebration of Los Angeles’ visual art culture, Inspired by the city’s mural culture, the exhibition features works by Carlos Almaraz, Christopher Brand, Espi, Ignacio Gomez, Willie Herrón III, Steve Martinez, MEAR ONE, Art Mortimer, Gilbert Ortiz, Frank Romero, Shizu Saldamando, Evan Skrederstu, and John Valadez–each of which connect the street and the canvas.
From the Streets to Canvas, an exhibition curated by Isabel Rojas-Williams, showcases the historical and cultural evolution of some of Los Angeles’ notable and changing pieces of art in the most public of forums–the street. However, after the unveiling and the party, art in public spaces takes on a life of its own. Economics, cultural history, and changing neighborhoods are among the factors that move public art past the original intent of the artist. This exhibition, and the accompanying lecture Mural Renaissance in DTLA: Challenges of Expression and Legacy will address some of the economics and preservation of this compelling art."
Past shows: Perseverance @ Japanese American National Museum
Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World
March 8 – September 14, 2014
A photographic exhibition by Kip Fulbeck, exploring the artistry and master craftsmanship of traditional Japanese tattooing.
Curated by Takahiro Kitamura, the exhibition features the work of seven internationally acclaimed Japanese tattooers Chris Brand, Horitaka, Horitomo, Miyazo,Shige, Junko Shimada, and Yokohama Horiken as shown in life-sized photographs by Fulbeck.
Revered as an art form worldwide for centuries, the Japanese tattoo has a long and tumultuous history with the country of its origin. Tattooing and tattooed individuals have been persecuted and stigmatized throughout Japan—including prohibitions on public display, work requirements specifying tattoo coverage (or the complete absence of tattoos), even the outlawing of the practice itself. Many of these bans are still in effect today.
Despite this negative public pressure and government repression, the Japanese tattoo tradition has not only persevered, it has thrived. Now practiced in various forms throughout the world, traditional Japanese Tattooing is internationally renowned for its artistry, lineage, historical symbolism, and skill.
PERSEVERANCE will investigate and showcase the breathtaking artistry of the Japanese Tattoo through the works of over 30 of the world’s leading contemporary tattoo artists.
The exhibition will also include Don Ed Hardy, Colin Horisou Baker, Stan Corona, Espi, Chris Garver, Jeff Gogue, Regino Gonzales, Jill Horiyuki Halpin, Tim Hendricks, Horikazu 4, Horikiku, Horitoshi Family Horizakura, Timothy Hoyer, Jakoh, Henning Jorgensen, Brian Kaneko, Robert Klem, Chad Koeplinger, Adrian Lee, L.A. Horitaka, Lil’ Tokyo Jiro, Sulu’ape Steve Looney, Chris O’Donnell, Chuey Quintanar, Kahlil Rintye, Stewart Robson, Mike Rubendall, Evan Skrederstu, Small Paul, Luke Stewart, The Grime, Tomo, and Dan Wysuph.
For updates about this exhibition, check Kip Fulbeck’s Facebook page for the show: facebook.com/JANMTattooShow
For press inquiries, contact mediarelations@janm.org or (213) 625-0414.
