The RAW Art gallery exhibit on September 03, 2010 will be an amazing showcase in conjunction with the Oakland Art Murmur. The work ranges from high-end contemporary paintings and photographs to prolific graffiti art. Opening reception from 6PM-9PM at The Uptown located at 1951 Telegraph Avenue (on the corner of 20th St. and Telegraph)
The 4,500 square ft. gallery space hosted by The Uptown. Featured artists:

Nate (N8) Van Dyke

Carly Ivan Garcia

Travis Somerville

Chor Boogie

Michael Cuffe

Amir Ebrahimi / NYC photographer
Brandon Hanson

Robert D. Harris / Sculpture

Karine Leung

Ramekon O’ Arwisters

Curated by CIG

Guest DJ Soul Luciani

Complimentary Libations by Smart Energy http://smartenergycocktails.com/

After Party : SoMar Bar & Lounge 1727 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612 – located one block from the Fox Theater.

Art video promo by Robert D Harris from Robert harris on Vimeo.

R. A. W. ART GALLERY EXHIBIT 08.06.10

Carly Ivan Garcia is creating a buzz around California . His shows have become unique and large scale and have become know as a gallery exhibit worth checking out. The show on August 06 will be in conjunction with the Oakland Art Murmur. The work ranges from high-end contemporary paintings and photographs to prolific graffiti art. From 6PM-9PM at The Uptown located at 1951 Telegraph Avenue (on the corner of 20th St. and Telegraph Ave)
The 500 square feet gallery space hosted by The Uptown will feature Oakland Based artist Keba Armand Konte:

For a man who is paving the way for a new generation of artistic visionaries, the celebrated Bay Area based photomontage craftsman Keba Armand Konte relishes in creating signature timeless pieces with the technical skill of an assemblage artist and the narrator elegance of a griot. His photographic works of art consist of an amalgam of protests and portraits, street moments and political movements, dignitaries and ditch diggers, hip-hop heads and mothers, continents and cultures as well as freaks, friends and family members. Konte’s artistry is about remembrance – collective, personal, and community. He layers memory and metaphor as he inscribes social conditions, emphasizing love, vulnerability, decay and loss. This vision allows viewers to share the honesty and fearlessness he has found in his subjects trekking the world (Japan, Africa, Cuba, Jamaica and Europe) and within his own community in Northern California.

As well, nine inspiring contemporary artists will be exhibiting….

When he was 21, Brett Amory moved to San Francisco to study motion pictures at the Academy of Arts. Soon after enrolling in school, Amory took his first drawing class and was introduced to his passion for the arts. Around the time Amory turned 24 he tried his hand in painting. In 2002 Amory switched his major to fine art and started his first body of work called “Waiting” a series of paintings about the anticipation of the next moment. Amory gathers his source material by taking pictures on the street of people waiting. He gravitates towards visible quirks and, by his own admission, a lot of his subjects are older. Amory graduated from the Academy of Arts in 2005 and has shown his work all over the country. In 2006 Brett along with five other artists published a book called “Convergence” and had book signings in New York, Los Angeles, and at the SFMOMA in San Francisco. Amory currently works as a graphic designer at an environmental company in San Francisco and continues to show his work in galleries across the country.

Agne Correll, “My work is from “emotion”. I don’t try to paint or draw what I see. I paint what I feel. It is important for me to work with the figuritive form. It’s easy to relate to the shapes, lines, poses and the life of the image I am working with.
You could say they all are my auto portraits, a diary of my thoughts and feelings. I paint almost every day. It is helpful in my capturing certain feelings. It is also a way for me to go deeper into an emotion. I sketch often. There are times my vision is clear and it allows me to jump right in. And other times it is a more contemplative process.
Some of my paintings can take as long as six years or more in completion and others I can create in a weekend.
Most recently I have been working on very simple design in oil drawings. I work very large 64X56, 36X48 and others are as small as 10X16.” Agne is also owner of the Room Interior Art Gallery, Marin CA.

Ali Garca.works on paper. 2010. ♥

ARMO A pioneer and leader in the new Alta Modern genre. The art of ARMO, a style known as “Alta-Modern”, abrasively erodes away at the line between two significantly widespread methods of communication: he takes styles from graffiti and digital typography to amplify the features of both. ARMO will challenge the viewer’s comfort zones by augmenting direction and variety to their limits, making colorful displays harshly intriguing. Upon first impression, one may think that they have seen things like it before, but this demands its own type of attention, as it is an advance upon what was the cutting edge in urban art. It is almost as if ARMOs work is an explosion of chaotic color and expression, a sort of unity between machine and humanity not unlike electronic music. ARMO delivers an outburst of vision: the mashing of cultures his mixing board.

Emily Johnson’s eye for photography originally developed on the east coast. With a visual communication’s background her abilities are meant to be seen. Emily now resides in Oakland CA, where she creates cinema, film and editing projects.Her multilayered skills transfer into beautiful photographs. .Emily will be premiering new work at the August RAW show.

Amanda Lynn, “I love to paint. Those four words are probably the best description of why I do what I do. Since I was very young, I have been surrounded and inspired by several different artists. A very prolific and enchanting teacher, Robin Grass, opened my eyes to the realm of fantasy. He also taught me the technique of acrylic painting that I still use today. Throughout the vast changes in my life, I have become very aware of the spiritual beauty and strength I have found in the women who surround me. My admiration for these women has inspired me to want to paint them in the character in which I veiw them. I started out by studying and admiring other artists whom I also felt understood the hidden magic of the female spirit, such as Brian Froud and Olivia. After moving to the west coast and studying at the Academy of Art, I became more aware of the details of the human figure that I wished to portray.

Dawood Marion graduated with a degree in Visual Communications. Soon after began studying Concept development and Production design at Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood. Since then Dawood has worked as a conceptual illustrator and colorist at companies such as Magnadyne Electronics, Parero Design Group, Code of arms, Mack Vision Entertainment, Seven dollar Productions, and Legacy Interactive.
Dawood has taught life drawing, character design, and production design at C.L.A.S (Culture and Language Academy of Success), Sharon Art Studios, AHC Oakland, Los Angeles Academy of Fine Arts and Gnomon School of Visual Effects.

Michael Orange explores photography in a series of images that contradict the urban environment in which he promotes unstoppable creative outreach. His photographic process that reveals images of iconic subjects that range from different contexts and reflect across cultures and humanity.

It is an honor for Aoi Yamaguchi’s Calligraphy with poetry to grace the walls of the RAWll Gallery. As Aoi has said, “The Japanese form is really unique, based on traditional culture. I use special brushes and papers. Like if I was just to draw the alphabet, it’s very simple lines, while there’s a lot of curves and three different styles of characters [in Japan], hiragana, katakana and kanji. Kanji is the most complicated one and consists of bunch of strokes. It’s really hard to write, but that’s what really makes me want to do it and learn it because it’s hard. If it’s easy, I can be more creative, it takes time to learn it but we need patience to develop the skill.”

Guest Dj Satva (skateclik)
Dj Sonny Phono (burn it down sounds)
Complimentary Libations

After – Party: 2022 Bar and Lounge

Element Lounge
1028 Geary Blvd. San Francisco, CA
7PM – 9PM
$5-$10 donations suggested

This Saturday June 26^th Element Lounge is hosting “Conviction”, an incredible art exhibition in support and tribute to leukemia and lymphoma research, victims and their families. The exhibition will consists of artwork in bright orange, the official color of Leukemia and Lymphoma research, with the central piece being an exquisite and eye opening 40 foot mural created by Robert D. Harris, Ian Ross, Max Ehrman and other amazing bay area talent. Music and visual artists will collaborate to bring you an evening of innovative culture and philanthropy, as all proceeds of the $5 – $10 donation will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of San Francisco. Many amazing original pieces will also be on display for sale with the theme of hope, spirit, and tenacity. So come on out, be inspired, and help support a truly meaningful cause.

RAW 06.04.10
Friday, June 4th, THE RAW ART GALLERY EXHIBIT: 4,500 square feet at The Uptown- in conjunction with Oakland Art Murmur- will display a visual art experience like no other, curated by Carly Ivan Garcia.

Come and witness some of the best modern artists on the west coast that will feature the epic San Francisco based artist Apex one. “When one thinks “graffiti writer” Apex might not be the first thing that comes to mind. His letters are so beautifully crafted and styled that it is tough to see it as only a form of graffiti. They transcend into being architecture, that is, their impact on the built environment sets boundaries and creates fields of colors as much as any building might. They transcend into being typographic – his works are careful explorations of abstract letter forms. And to be more philosophical, they transcend into being emotions expressed on a wall.
Apex is a young San Francisco based artist that has already made a big name for himself. His name doesn’t come from a ton of careless throw ups or quickly sprayed tags, instead, Apex has coined the term Super Burner. Huge productions that have several layers, patterns and a gamut of colors that put Crayola to shame. Apex’s work really has two scale. The macro scale where you can read the layering, composition and patterns and a micro scale where you get a feel for textures, color overlaps and other idiosyncratic moments.” (curbs & Stoops 09). Discover Jet Martinez’s technical geometric patterns transform into sculptural “super-plants”.

The many highlighted artists for the night include Oakland based illustrator David Crosland (aka “King Gum”) and his fine art. Painter, muralist and gallery owner Miguel “Bounce” Perez is a true art enthusiast with amazing talent. Oliver Black’s signature style brings to life a unique breed of characters, creating a world of uncommon symmetry. Amanda Lauren Padilla is a gifted artist and owner of Pigment (www.thepigments.com) a blog that features artists, art resources, gallery openings, photography and poetry. The work of Anne Herrero has an undeniable power with the touch of a true master painter. It is an honor to show paintings of the high end illustrator and conceptual artist, Fred Aquino. Conor Burns is a master of photo realism oil paintings that have been spotlighted throughout the bay area. Artist photographer Robert Lopez’s urban day and night photography is visionary eye candy and Dj Wonway Posibul will enrich the evening with his soulful creative sounds.
…and then the afterparty will be at one block right on the heart of the Art murmur, @ 2272 Telegraph Ave, ParaDiso with a great ambiance as well as the artwork on display showcasing a past RAW featured artist Malik Seneferu. Let’s celebrate art. ‘]

Carly Ivan Garcia grew up in the eclectic artist’s town of Fairfax, California. He comes from a family of artists who encouraged Garcia to create from a young age. Garcia was immediately attracted to the varied color palette and available textures offered by the medium of paint. Over the years he developed and evolved the unique neo-abstract style which, at the young age of 34-years old has made him well known along the West coast of the United States.

Garcia feels that his more recent veering towards thick textures and mixed media give him artistic license to challenge the boundaries of contemporary art and produce work that is loyal to the specific creative language he seeks.

Garcia’s language of imagery is translated through strong form and bold palettes. He constructs landscapes of modernity. In the past few years, Garcia’s work has been shown in numerous gallery solo shows around California and has been included in countless group shows all over the West coast of the United States. In December 2009 Garcia’s work was exhibited in Miami, Florida during Art Basel. He was featured in a group show for international emerging artists and also collaborated with Graffiti Gone Global to create a large scale installation that received extensive media coverage.

Paying homage to his pop icon appeal is Garcia’s upcoming media spotlight. Ten of his paintings, created as if “he were obsessed with pigeons,” are the focus pieces in the new feature film Touching Home, starring Ed Harris, due in major theaters this Spring.

W/ DJs
NEIL ARMSTRONG
(Jay Z tour DJ 08/09 – Adidas – 5th Platoon)
LEX (Souls of Mischief tour DJ)
BEATS ME (distortion 2 static)
Hosted by : FLOSSAFEE

Giveaways from our sponsors: Frank151, Black Scale, Alchemetric, Self Edge, Benny Gold, and Gold Coin.

Doors open at 10pm – 21+
$10 in advance $15 at the door
For Table Reservations:
VIP@maorwest.com

Manor West (750 Harrison st. SF, CA)

Join artists, Armo & Carly Ivan Garcia, for the opening reception of
Love Pistols in Color

March 27th
6-11PM @ Pueblo Nuevo Gallery
1828 San Pablo #1
Berkeley

More than 90 years after Marcel Duchamp famously presented a urinal as a work of art, the trend continues – and continues to draw controversy.

This time, the fuss is about a urinal sculpted in the likeness of former President George W. Bush.

Bush Urinal

Sculptor Clark Sorensen produces handmade, homemade pieces in his studio/garage in the Mission District section of San Francisco.

“It started kind of as a joke,” said Sorensen. “I was working in porcelain, and I thought, ‘what can I do with a urinal?’”

He has produced urinals in the shape of orchids, lilies and morning glories. But the design that has people talking is “George W. Flush,” a likeness of former President Bush with an oversized head and a wide open mouth.

The one-of-a-kind urinal is not installed in any men’s room. It is on display at a gallery art show in San Francisco.

Indians have always taken pride in being a tolerant and understanding society, and the country’s predominant religion, Hinduism, has often been described as a way of life that never relies on conversions, force or violence. These virtues, however, appear to be fading.

Twenty-first century India seems to have become more dogmatic than ever, and the worst sufferers are artists and writers. Nobody has drawn the kind of attention that Indian painter M.F. Husain has in recent years. This came to a head recently when the 90-something artist — who has lived in exile in Dubai — was granted Qatari citizenship.

M.F. Husain

Amid the hue and cry in India’s artistic circles, fingers point at the government for failing to provide security and solace to Husain, who left the country years ago following threats to his life by fanatical Hindu groups. Although this Muslim has been honored with some of the nation’s highest civilian awards and was once nominated to Parliament’s Upper House, Rajya Sabha, his paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses have evoked the wrath of extreme politico-religious groups.

In India, where nude figures are magnificently carved out of rock in old Hindu temples, Husain’s art appears to have been singled out merely because of his Muslim faith.

It is not just Hindus who seem to be resorting to violence at the slightest pretext. Just last week there was news of arson and looting in the southern Indian state of Karnataka after a newspaper article purportedly written by Bangladesh’s Taslima Nasrin on the burqa provoked the ire of Islamic fundamentalists.

In 2008, Nasrin, who had taken refuge in India after being forced to flee her homeland, was hounded out of her host country as well. She now lives in Sweden.

Recently, when Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan commented publicly that the Indian Premier League could have been “nicer” in its handling of the controversy over franchisees’ not selecting Pakistani cricketers at an auction, fanatics rose in anger. They warned that they would not let theaters in Mumbai (where Khan lives) screen his latest film, “My Name is Khan.” The actor was asked to go away to Pakistan.

Sadly, Muslims in India are not only called upon, time and again, to prove their national loyalty, but are also increasingly identified with terror. In Khan’s movie, therefore, it comes as no surprise that Khan’s character, suffering from Asperger syndrome, keeps repeating “My name is Khan, but I am not a terrorist.”

In 2003, when the Oxford University Press in India published James W. Laine’s book “Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India,” rightwingers became so furious over a few paragraphs that they blackened the face of a Sanskrit scholar who had helped the author.

It’s enough to make one wonder how much Indians really differ from nations like Iran, which at least does not pretend to be secular. The other day, award-winning Iranian cinema director Jafar Panahi and his family were arrested and taken to an undisclosed location. A favorite of art-house critics and fans, his pictures are socially relevant. Despite his international fame, much of his work is banned in Iran, and many Iranian artists suffer a similar fate under Tehran’s authoritarian regime.

India is far from that — it is a democracy where elections are free and fair, and where governments change peacefully. Yet, narrow, parochial views have been given free rein.