Beyond Eden: See It Sunday! : Cartwheel Art

Beyond Eden: See It Sunday!

Posted by Lisa Derrick

Beyond Eden was jammed full last night with art lovers taking in this art fair featuring three major New Contemporary galleries from the Westside and San Francisco’s Spoke Art Gallery. Beyond Eden continues today from noon to 5pm at the Los Angeles Municipal Gallery at Barnsdall Art Park, one of the loveliest spots in spots in Los Angeles.

Taking the main stage, Copro Gallery, whose owner Greg Escalante was honored for his contributions to New Contemporary art. Copro has shown Alacantra, Ausgang, Baseman, Ryden, and scores of other strong and compelling artists, and Escalante was the organizer of this summer’s hit Kustom Kulture II at the Huntington Beach Art Museum. At Beyond Eden, Chet Zar’s series “Ego Death” dominated the Copro wall space, with another wall dedicated to “Renati,” Nikko Hurtado’s portrait series with large scale works from Mark Garro, Adam Miller, and Dan Quintana.

Thinkspace took an eco-approach, asking their artists to create works inspired by endangered species in support of Born Free USA. Standouts: Shark Toof (top image); John Park’s Speak in Tongues which tied the threatened extinction of gorillas and other large apes to the continued violence and war in their habitats; and a puffin sculpture created from plastic trash. Puffins and other sea birds are at risk from from ocean pollution as well as destruction of their habitat and hunting. Lots of animal paintings (and animals with big eyed girls) in a colorful variety of styles that typify New Contemporary (including Pop Surrealism, symbolist narrative and conceptual narrative).

Thinkspace included a gallery curated by photographer Birdman who has captured many of the city’s biggest name street artists at work. Pieces from the artists hung next to photos of the artists doing their thing. It’s a great selection– 2501, Cryptik, David Flores, Lydia Emily, Mear One, Nathan Ota, Risk, Shepard Fairey and Vyal–which shows the the intersection between street and fine art. (Shepard Fairey’s new work was sold out by 6pm).

C.A.V.E. Gallery brought a wide selection of their artists, giving a wide and strong perspective, and also had prints for sale. It’s a glorious, colorful, and bold selection ranging from joyful and playful to pensive and poignant.

Spoke Art, which also brought prints, devoted one wall to re-interpreted classic movie posters from their film series, a nice hat tip to Barnsdall’s Hollywood Blvd location, and provided some truly wow pieces including Crystal Wagner’s paper constructions, Hanna Jaeun’s paintings and Leon Reid VI’s sculptures.

Here’s a quick sample of some of the art, more to come!

Beyond Eden is free, parking is free, and it’s open today form noon to 5pm. See it! Send us us your favorite images at contact@cartwheelart.com, We’d love to see and post what you love!

Beyond Eden
Noon-5pm October 13
Barnsdall Art Park, Los Angeles Municpal Gallery
4800 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027