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back to list MOUF Mouf is a prolific mural artist in the urban art scene in Austin, Texas. He’s mentored and supported many of the city’s younger artists, while traveling internationally to spray paint his art. In his early years, he was always interested in using spray paint to create something on any surface. He has always considered himself creative and a little bit of a trouble maker. The way he got started was like most that are a part of the art form. Every time he was in a city, he’d notice the contrast of grey and colorless buildings, to the vibrant burst of colors in the shape of letters or characters.

Kevin KowalskiSculptural LandscapesInspired by the natural word, artist Kevin Kowalski creates ceramic works that call to the visual landscapes around him. His travels and experience in clay provide the foundation for his creative process, allowing him to develop his skills in techniques such as mocha diffusion and many other decorative processes. < Back Kevin Kowalski, Sculptural Landscapes Kevin Kowalski, Sculptural Landscapes Kevin Kowalski, Sculptural Landscapes Kevin Kowalski, Sculptural Landscapes 1/3 Kevin Kowalski Sculptural Landscapes Inspired by the natural word, artist Kevin Kowalski creates ceramic works that call to the visual landscapes around him. His travels and experience in clay provide the foundation for his creative process, allowing him to develop his skills in techniques such as mocha diffusion and many other decorative processes. Kowalski’s series, Sculptural Landscapes , captures the beauty and chaos of industrial and natural processes. The surfaces of each vessel are texturally dense and entropic. Shards and outcroppings of clay appear from a smooth surface that itself is coated in a colorful and runny glaze, culminating into an abstract sculptural landscape. Utilizing a variety of different clays, glazes, found rocks, and the use of multiple flashing slips, the works are a visual amalgamation of a built landscape and organic environmental elements. Previous Next

Patrick Park < Back My Name is Winky By Patrick Park Today is February 29, 2021. My name is Winky. It is currently the coldest it has ever been. A cold, dark world. Is this all there is to life? A false hope that we may someday escape from this clutching prison. Is that all we can look towards? It feels like a repeating cycle. We grow up together for a while and then one day, some of us stay while others depart. But why me? Why couldn’t I join my friends in the beautiful paradise that is the afterlife? It feels so lonesome, like a rainbow in a storm. I am not beautiful, I am merely a minuscule object that is lost in the vast, unforgiving universe. My bright colors cannot fight off the harsh weather, nor can it ward off the mythological beings whose single footstep can destroy a colony. What is my purpose? A million years can pass and not a single being will notice my presence. We all desire to leave our mark on this world. What is the purpose? A temporary span of experiences known as life is something we consider priceless, but why? An existential question that has been asked throughout history. What is my purpose? Providing something for others until I join my fallen comrades. Why? Why can I not frolic and laugh like those titans? Why can I not run like those animals with four legs? I am stuck with no movement. I am stuck with no purpose. I am stuck with no family. I am stuck finding meaning in my own life. The titans refer to me as a “flower of death”, using me as a crown when mourning the deceased. A fitting name, truly. I suppose I should feel flattered as our family was chosen as a means to honor a titan’s death. They act as though death is something to honor. An interesting concept to say the least. When we die, we (as flowers) are often used as compost in order to help the future generation. But if there’s anything I learned, it’s to live in the moment. Just a few months ago, I had all of my friends near me. We chatted, laughed, and even asked each other questions about life. We were quite the philosophical bunch. However, we had an older gentleman, a fern plant to be exact, that always told us to enjoy the time while it lasted. We often ridiculed him. We believed those times would last forever. Even when each of our companions disappeared one by one, we laughed it off saying that they would be back. We were delusional really, refusing to see our own reality. Perhaps the day will arrive where we may see each other once more. I have not been feeling my best throughout these days, I fear my time to join the afterlife is coming. Today is March 1st, 2021. Something strange happened yesterday. The weather is suspiciously getting warmer. Usually, it feels like an igloo forming inside my petals during the nights however, yesterday’s night was somewhat bearable. Also, I see a tiny seedling about 2 feet on the right. I know it’s nothing and may not survive, but I still feel excited. I lost all my friends, one by one. The fact that I might have a new friend in the near future makes me happy. Would John be a good name? Perhaps I will name him Winky Jr. Although my time is coming soon, I will do everything in my power to grow this seedling. It feels silly to say this out loud but I already feel a bond with this poppy seedling. I will teach it the different things I have learned in this lifetime. Teaching them about the titans, teaching them about the different seasons, and teaching them the different plants. I feel this is the purpose of our lives, plant or titan. Of course, you should expend some of your energy, but you should expend some of your energy to help grow the future generation. I will keep you updated on the progression of this seedling. Today is March 2nd, 2021. I have an update for you. The seedling is almost old enough to begin communicating with me. I’m so excited, I can feel my roots jumping up and down. I also feel nervous about talking with this seedling because I haven’t talked to anyone in person in such a long time. It is also my first time physically communicating with a poppy plant. Poppy plants have a reputation in the plant community as they are one of the most beloved flowers in the state of California. Being able to meet a poppy in person is an incredible honor. I will keep you updated tomorrow when we are able to communicate. Today is March 3rd, 2021. Another major update has surfaced, I have finally exchanged words with the young Poppy. It woke up, scared and confused. I had to talk to it, telling it where we were and what it was. The young Poppy asked for my name, to which I replied “Winky Jr.”. It asked what I was and replied, “A Periwinkle flower”. The Poppy looked confused and went silent for a minute. I decided to start up the conversation once more with, “You are a Poppy flower, a flower that is beloved by the Titans”. The Poppy asked what a titan was. I claimed it was a name we gave to the humans as their footsteps often shook the ground. Of course, this was a silly mistake as it asked what a human was. After spending the whole day passing on my knowledge to the young poppy, I began to give the poppy his own personal traits. The Poppy asked what a good name was. I asked, “How does Summer sound?” The Poppy agreed to this name and our friendship began. After this, Summer thanked me and I welcomed him. Although Summer was the one thanking me, in my heart, I felt I needed to thank Summer. She became the one shining light after several months of darkness. I realized I didn’t need to run and shout like the humans, I just needed someone like me. Someone who could relate to my struggles, someone who was literally in my feet. My will to live became stronger than ever. I hope to see you again tomorrow journal. Although it’s a shame I will not live long enough to see Summer grow, I’m glad I could meet them. Previous Next

< Back to ACTIVATION Michael Mabry, War = Death, 2003 digital file, dimensions variable, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of the designer through Another Poster for Peace, image source: www.anotherposterforpeace.org Jessica Sabogal, Walls Can't Keep Out Greatness, 2018 digital print, 47 7/8 × 23 1/16 in., Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Decorative Arts and Design Council Fund, © Jessica Sabogal, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA Unknown, Speak Out Against the War, 1970 screenprint, printed at a student poster workshop at the University of California, Berkeley, 28 7/8 × 22 15/16 in., Los Angeles County Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by the Decorative Arts and Design Council Acquisition Fund, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA Michael Mabry, War = Death, 2003 digital file, dimensions variable, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of the designer through Another Poster for Peace, image source: www.anotherposterforpeace.org 1/4 What Would You Say? Activist Graphics from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art January 22 - April 17, 2022 Since the mid-20th century, California has been a beacon of both inventive design and political activism. Exploring the intersection of these two realms, this exhibition uses case studies from LACMA’s collection to demonstrate how designers and artists championed civil rights, opposed wars and injustice, and pressed for change. Skilled communicators by profession, they distilled complex issues into eye-catching images, often appropriating commercial art techniques—from newspaper broadsheets to screen prints to digital downloads—to distribute powerful imagery despite limited resources. Others led workshops and formed printing collectives, providing movements with new methods for disseminating their messages. Their works express both outrage and optimism, going beyond protest to envision alternative ways of living. Key figures and organizations including Emory Douglas of the Black Panther Party, Sheila Levrant de Bretteville of the Woman’s Building, Self Help Graphics & Art, and street artist Shepard Fairey achieved widespread acclaim and notoriety, galvanizing political movements and empowering marginalized communities. This exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in collaboration with the Lancaster Museum of Art and History; Riverside Art Museum; California State University, Northridge, Art Galleries; an Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles Collage. Local Access is a series of American art exhibitions created through a multi-year, multi-institutional partnership formed by LACMA as part of the Art Bridges Initiative. Previous Next

2019 < View Public Art Projects Apollo by Alex Couwenberg 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNN7ZSaao4w

< Back to ACTIVATION 1/4 Sergio Hernandez Chicano Time Capsule, Nelli Quitoani January 22 - April 17, 2022 For forty years, the late Chicano artist and cartoonist Sergio Hernandez has echoed important cultural topics and socio-political issues of the Chicano community. Early on, Hernandez began working for “Con Safos Magazine”, the first Chicano literary magazine. Upon being recruited by “Con Safos” member and artist Tony Gomez, Hernandez began to align his practice with themes related to the emerging Chicano Movement or “El Movimiento”. The Chicano Movement was and still is geared toward advocating for “social and political empowerment through “chicanismo”, the idea of taking pride in one’s Mexican-American heritage, or cultural nationalism.” Across painting, cartoons, and murals, Hernandez satires socio-political happenings and provides an intimate perspective of the Chicano community. Influenced by Chicano culture, iconography, and artists alike, Hernandez’s work became a beacon calling for action and attention to the harsh realities faced by the Chicano community. The artworks in this exhibition are a small yet compelling collection of Hernandez’s contribution to the Chicano art and power movements. The panel of comic strips on display belong to the “Arnie and Porfi” comic series. Struggling with the duality of his identity as a Mexican- American, Hernandez often battled with his internal desire to adhere to conservative family-views and his newly found chicanismo. Hernandez expressed this conflict through satire and comedic relief through the Arnie and Porfi comics, visualizing the dystopian world. In other words, through art and humor Hernandez exposes the political oddities and disproportionate disparity experienced by Mexican- Americans. Sergio Hernandez (1948-2021) was born and raised in Los Angeles, California in the South Central area known as the Florence/Firestone District. He received his Bachelor Degree in Chicano Studies from San Fernando Valley State College, which is now known as the California State University, Northridge. Previous Next

back to list Jeff Soto Jeff Soto is an American contemporary artist. His distinct color palette, subject matter and technique have been said to bridge the gap between Pop Surrealism and Street Art. Jeff Soto is a painter, illustrator and muralist who has exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. As a youth, he simultaneously discovered both traditional painting and illegal graffiti – and, ever since, both worlds have informed his work. Inspired by youthful nostalgia, nature, and popular culture, his bold, representational work is simultaneously accessible and stimulating.

The Other Way Around < Back Super A The Other Way Around May 14 - August 21, 2022 1/4 Previous Next Stefen Thelen, otherwise known by his anti-superhero alter-ego, Super A, is a Dutch artist who specializes in mural and studio paintings that use a hyper realistic and surrealist style. His alter ego was born out of his previous background as a graffiti artist and serves as a vessel for his more controversial interrogations of society — allowing for a more objective lens for his artistic analysis. Super A officially started his artistic career in 2004 but before then, he would work in amusement parks where he would gain first-hand experience in the creation of fantasy for the general public. This experience would inform his future work, working to unravel the distinction between reality and illusion. The tension found between two opposing ideas is a common thread seen within his work, namely his Trapped series. The Other Way Around is a continuation of this series and demonstrates the distinction between reality and the facade, revealing the truth behind the metaphorical mask. Stefan Thelen is a street and gallery artist based in the Netherlands who graduated from Graphic Lyceum in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Super A’s murals and works have been featured in galleries around the world including Germany, London, Paris, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, and the United States, among others. Super A’s mural was painted as part of Antelope Valley Walls! (formerly POW!WOW! Antelope Valley) in 2018. The mural is located at Lancaster Blvd in Lancaster, California.

Diane SilverStones ThrowFor Diane Silver, working with her hands is a transformative act taking inspiration from the natural world. Silver utilizes ceramic, wax, and textiles like hemp and thread to create organic forms that resemble those in nature. Silver allows for the material to speak for itself with a raw and organic feel. < Back Diane Silver, Stones Throw Diane Silver, Stones Throw Diane Silver, Stones Throw 1/2 Diane Silver Stones Throw For Diane Silver, working with her hands is a transformative act taking inspiration from the natural world. Silver utilizes ceramic, wax, and textiles like hemp and thread to create organic forms that resemble those in nature. Silver allows for the material to speak for itself with a raw and organic feel. Her work is minimalist, characterized by its simplicity through her use of clean lines and natural materials. Her works have spoken to the gendered division of labor or touched upon themes of religion through abstraction. Stones Throw explores an alternative way of measuring the passage of time, marked by the menstrual cycle. Previous Next

Up Golden Hour: Images from the Museum of Art & History's permanent collection Various Artists Golden Hour: Images from the Museum of Art & History's Permanent Collection features photographs from the Museum Project, a philanthropic group of artists known for their pioneering of experimental techniques and unique styles. Conceptualized by Robert von Sternberg, the group sought to give back to museums and other institutions that supported contemporary and developing photographers throughout the years. Along with like-minded artists such Darryl Curran, Sheila Pinkel and Nancy Webber, the artists of the Museum Project donated nearly 4,000 prints to the permanent collections of over 100 institutions and museums throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, France and Australia. These photographs are excellent examples of the wide range of processes, concepts and themes that Californian photographers explore. Other non-Museum Project artists that will be on display from the permanent collection are Osceola Refetoff, Naida Osline, and Thomas McGovern. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCKJ8VwScGY January 23 – May 9, 2021 Back to list

back to list Dan Witz Brooklyn, NY based street artist and realist painter. He grew up in Chicago, IL, and graduated in 1981 from Cooper Union, on New York City’s Lower East Side. Witz, consistently active since the late 1970s, is one of the pioneers of the street art movement.

back to list Vojislav Radovanovic Vojislav Radovanović is a Serbian visual artist, art director, filmmaker, and independent curator based in Los Angeles, CA. Witnessing turbulent political unrest and war in the Balkan region in his youth, his visual and conceptual artwork advocates for beauty, environmentalism, mental health, and societal transmutation. His artwork often utilizes a conceptual concentration on wild plants, specifically weeds. The resilient, boundary-defying plants become a metaphor for nature’s powerful ingenuity. The symbolism and conceptualism of weeds also apply to multiple human aspects: its endurance, queer identity, the immigrant experience, and colonization. Radovanović has presented his works internationally in numerous group and solo exhibitions. Important cultural institutions where he showed his works are Lancaster Museum of Art and History, Ronald H. Silverman fine Arts Gallery, Angels Gate Cultural Center, Brea Art Gallery (California, USA); Mall Galleries (London, Great Britain); UNESCO Headquarters, The Institut Suédois (Paris, France); Centre of Contemporary Art (Torun, Poland); The Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid - CBA (Madrid, Spain); Belgrade City Museum, Museum of Yugoslavia, National Library of Serbia and The White Palace (Belgrade, Serbia). Radovanović currently serves as community engagement artist at MOAH Lancaster as part of "Artists At Work" program supported by Mellon Foundation.