Diana Yesenia Alvarado, Dyami O'Brien, Henry Fey, Nathan Harris, Chris Milic, Willy Reed, Alake Shilling, Yoma Ru Smith, Paige Valentine
Group Shoe
March 30 - April 27, 2019
organized by Mario Ayala
This is for the, this is for the, strictly for the
This is for the, this is for the, the real
This is for the, this is for the, strictly for the
This is for the, this is for the, the real
This is for the, this is for the, strictly for the
This is for the, this is for the, the real
This is for the, this is for the, strictly for the
This is for the, this is for the, the real
Group Shoe features work by nine artists working within the contemporary figurative vernacular. The exhibition, which is organized by artist Mario Ayala, is anchored by a parallelogramatic plinth with intermingling ceramic pieces by Diana Yesenia Alvarado, Willy Reed, Alake Shilling, and Paige Valentine. The trio’s work creates a playpen of sorts, in which their sometimes-sweet, sometimes-sassy creations interact.
Surrounding the ceramics are wall works by Dyami O’Brien, Henry Fey, Nathan Harris, Chris Milic, Willy Reed, and Yoma Ru Smith. In Millic’s works on paper, plants and pets snuggle up against each other. Henry Fey’s photo-transfer paintings recall faded memories of yesteryear - homes we lived in, cars we drove. Nathan Harris’ paintings depict a sort of hyperactive dread. Neon bright colors are muddied down and ghoulish figures sit front and center.
The artists in Group Shoe share many common links, not the least of which is their social connection with Ayala (several overlapped with his time at San Francisco Art Institute and others are friends here in Los Angeles). Alongside a shared social network sits a loosely shared visual aesthetic. Much of what’s on display in Group Shoe is cartoonish and bright; there is a sense of levity throughout. But while this levity stakes its claim, none of the work is naive. The subjects in these artworks reject blind optimism and instead choose to look out on the world with a grounded goofiness.
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Diana Yesenia Alvarado (b. 1992) is a Los Angeles based artist born and raised in East Los Angeles. Her practice takes an intuitive approach and is informed by memories of home. She is inspired by colors and advertisements found within the urban environment, toys, trinkets, ornamentation, and with her own relationship with the subconscious mind. As a result, her sculptures manifest autobiographical forms, figurines, and abstract vessels. She has exhibited throughout Los Angeles and Mexico including at Club Pro (Los Angeles) and Gamma Galleria (Guadalajara).
Dyami O’Brien (b. 1987) is a Los Angeles based artist who recieved his BFA from Art Center College of Design in 2014. His work utilizes drawings and doodles from his own cache combined with found typography, graphics, and forgotten trademarks.
Henry Fey ( b. 1993) is a Los Angeles based artist.
Nathan Harris is a Oakland based artist and has participated in exhibitions throughout the Bay Area.
Beavis Bio
Biotech painting entity living in oakland CA, califas califuzz yo.
You feel me, dont touch the paintings. Jk go head.
Busboy by day, painting in the corner of my room by night.
Talk about a super hero, super miro. Joan of arc
Heard voices, they said
World peace
Bye
Bros lost it huh
Chris Millic is a Los Angeles based artist originally from Tempe, AZ. He has participated in exhibitions at Goldie’s Gallery (New York), The Middler (New York), Allen & Eldridge (New York), and Romeo Gallery (New York). He is the co-founder of Frog Skateboards.
Willy Reed (b. 1988) is a Los Angeles based artist originally from San Francisco. He recieved his BFA from California College of the Arts in 2015. He has participated in exhibitions at Guerrero Gallery (San Francisco), Steve Turner (Los Angeles), City Limits (Oakland), and 99¢ Plus (Brooklyn).
Alake Shilling (b. 1993) is a Los Angeles based artist. Her work has been shown locally, nationally, and internationally including a solo presentation with 356 Mission (Los Angeles) and group exhibitions with Hammer Museum (Los Angeles), Rubell Family Collection (Miami), Loyal Gallery (Stockholm), Karma International (Los Angeles), Night Gallery (Los Angeles), and Club Pro (Los Angeles).
Yoma Ru Smith is a New York based artist originally from Southern California. She has participated in exhibitions at Muddgutts (New York), 8 Ball Super Club (New York), and Kit Gallery (Tokyo).
Paige Valentine (b. 1996) is an Oakland based artist originally from Los Angeles. She received her BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2018 and is working towards a solo exhibition at pt.2 (Oakland).
