Los Angeles River: Paintings and Photographs presented by Metro Gallery June 12, 2008

Los Angeles, CA - The exhibit “The Los Angeles River” opens Thursday, June 12, 2008 at the City Hall Bridge Gallery, and will run through July 11, 2008. The show will be featuring the Los Angeles City artists Martin Cox, Oscar Alcaraz, Angelica Esquivias, David Jonason, Mary Austin Klein, Georgia Love, and Ann Mitchell. At this exhibition, the artists will be presenting their unique exploration of the infamous LA River. The exhibit, featuring oil on canvas paintings, photographs, as well as mixed media imaging, demonstrates each artists’ ability to create artworks that are inspired by the Los Angeles River.

The LA River is a prime illustration of the modern human interaction with its natural resources. This interaction has been the subject and inspiration of numerous artists, which are as diverse as the cultural mixing of artistic ideas that are found through out the city. This art-within-art serves as a continuing representation of the constant evolution of the city, and the general concern for the river’s health as we see captured in the paintings, photographs, and works of inspired artist that call Los Angeles their home.

The exhibition will be on display within the Bridge Gallery in City Hall, 201 N. Main St 3rd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90012. The exhibit “the Los Angeles River” is curated by Juan Garcia, co-owner of Metro Gallery.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Born in Southampton, England, Photographer Martin Cox was raised with a fascination for geography, ships, tidal areas, and the local fauna. Inspired by the arts, Cox studied at the Winchester School of Art, followed by a 3-year degree at the Exeter College of Art & Design, in Devon. In London, Martin Cox embarked on a two-person performance art exhibition of his early works. Recurring themes in his work include his photographic work in relationship to landscape, translation, and urban decay. Cox’s realistic approach to photography enables him to represent a unique and honest view of maritime life, the landscapes of leisure, and conventional technology. Martin’s admiration for the oceanic environment has carried his research from London, to the United States, up to China, Manila, and Hong Kong.

Oscar Alcaraz is a young Photography student at Long Beach City College, California. His love for the arts, specifically photography, began in high school, where he took his first photography class, and his first black and white photo. Oscar enjoys all aspects of photography, with a strong concentration on urban landscapes. He is currently exploring the Los Angeles city landscape in black and white with his vintage Holga camera. Each of Oscar’s photographs captures a unique interaction with the urban landscape he frequents for his work.

Angelica Esquivias is a student, and photographer, native of Los Angeles. Angelica has studied photography at the South Bay’s El Camino College, and is currently attending Long Beach City College, where she will receive a degree in photography. Angelica is interested in commercial photography to be used in product advertisement. She currently exercises her creativity by exploring with composition and lighting techniques, taking pictures of ‘simple’ objects and sceneries with an ultimate attempt to make them appear more interesting and intriguing than they appear to the naked eye.

David Jonason is an architectural artist who combines his appreciation of architecture and design with a keen artistic talent for creating evocative paintings that transcend the angles and shapes of his subject buildings. Jonsason is a Los Angeles native, residing in Mendocino California. David was inspired as a child by the memories of the grand buildings of the earlier eras. It is no surprise that Jonason turns his artistic talents to celebrating a diverse selection of architectural landmarks. His paintings are influenced by Cubism, Art Deco, and the works of the Precisionist Painters.

Mary Austin Klein’s landscape paintings have brought her to the forefront of celebrated Los Angeles regional artists. Mary’s appreciation of the city’s architecture, and natural beauty is brilliantly illustrated through out her paintings. Mary studied at the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design. After graduating in 1991 from Otis with a degree in fine art, she painted urban scenes of Los Angeles. Mary A. Klein is also an active member of the Echo Park Historical Society, and a dedicated member for the board of directors for the California Wilderness Coalition. Her exploration of the Californian environment encouraged her to record the ever-changing Los Angeles landscapes in the form of oil on canvas paintings. Mary’s unique style of painting depicts the Angelenos wide view of the LA urban landscape, the broad range of challenges it faces, and the unique way Angelenos see these landscapes as real estate.

Georgia Love is a native of Los Angeles, having studied and achieved her Bachelor’s of Art, and M.A. at the California State University of Northridge in 1996, and 2007 respectively. Georgia grew up inspired by the Los Angeles County landscape she called home. She always carries a camera with her as she explores the city, and will take unplanned ‘surprise’ shots, as she sees fitting, of which some become paintings. Georgia describes her work as ‘realist cityscape paintings in oil on canvas.’ Her work embodies the connection the Angelenos have with their urban and suburban environment. Georgia Love’s paintings have taken her from exhibitions at the Venice Art Walk, to Metro Gallery in Los Angeles, and Martha Lichtenberg in Haily, Idaho.
Ann Mitchell is a distinguished Photographer, Professor, and curator. Ann began her education in photography at the Art Center College of Design in 1984, followed by her completion of her MFA at the Claremont Graduate University in 1997. Ann Mitchell is an Associate Professor of Art, and a Photography Program Coordinator at Long Beach City College. Ann’s eminent body of work is inspired by modern landscapes and infrastructures, and the ideas of beauty and identity that they represent. Captured by her camera, Ann Mitchell’s photographs explore our constant interaction with nature, and the perceptions that are evoked in the exploration of our environment. Her work is a unique experience between human infrastructures and the surrounding natural terrain.

Metro Gallery is a full service contemporary art gallery located at 1835 Hyperion Avenue in Silverlake, California. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12pm-7pm. For more information on this exhibit, opening, and upcoming exhibitions, please contact the gallery at (323) 633-2787 or visit www.metrogallery.org.

Official Website: http://www.metrogallery.org/