The Big Picture: Mark Mothersbaugh & Shepard Fairey
January 22-February 19, 2011
Opening Reception:
Saturday, January 22, 2011
8 - 11 p.m. Valet Parking Provided
1331 W. Sunset Blvd
LA, CA 90026
Subliminal Projects and The Art of Elysium's Elysium Project are pleased to present a two-person show featuring work by artist, pop culture icon, and DEVO frontman Mark Mothersbaugh and artist Shepard Fairey. This exhibition focuses on their work as artists and philanthropists.
As artists, Mark and Shepard create work that demand the viewer's attention, drawing them into a world where scale is pushed to the forefront. From several feet back, Shepard's work tells one story while, up close, the intricate patterning tells another. The symbols in a Shepard print provide a contextual framework and the elaborate detailing reflects a careful attention to craft. Mark's creative process begins on a small scale. His postcard-size illustrations and paintings often serve as the initial step in his creative process, from which he then pulls imagery for his larger work. These highly personal postcards are created on an intimate scale and, once enlarged into large-format works, the viewer is invited to step into Mark's whimsical world. In both cases, it is the carefully thought out details that make The Big Picture.
These two artists are keenly aware of The Big Picture when committing to a charitable cause. Their influential roles as tastemakers and cultural icons serve as a bright spotlight on the charity they choose to support. Thanks to their dedication to The Art of Elysium, both artists help bring attention to the charity's mission, thus enriching the lives of gravely ill children in the Los Angeles serviced by the charity. Shepard Fairey, the 2010 Art of Elysium Visionary, and Mark Mothersbaugh, the 2011 Art of Elysium Visionary, are celebrated in this exhibition for their art and their charitable spirits.
"I am so thrilled that Shepard has opened his gallery for this extremely special collaboration. This is the first collaboration between two of our VISIONARIES. It is our hope that the people that have been asked to join our VISIONARY CIRCLE share in creative collaborations not only to benefit The Art of Elysium and all of its various programs but that their joint endeavors inspire change in the world at large. That is the BIG PICTURE that we are hoping for." --Jennifer Howell, founder of The Art of Elysium
The Art of Elysium is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1997 to support artists and provide relief for medically disabled and hospitalized children. This dual mission has grown into a full-circle program with the charity providing a professional platform for artists and, in exchange, artists volunteer their time and talent to children with serious illnesses. We provide artistic workshops in the following disciplines: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing. We believe there is a powerful and mutual exchange of hope and appreciation that occurs when artists share their time and talent with children battling serious medical conditions. Today, the charity has offices in Los Angeles and New York and holds workshops for over 40,000 children a year.
Elysium Project is The Art of Elysium's platform where contemporary art intersects with philanthropy. We are committed to supporting emerging, mid-career and established artists through discerning art exhibitions, public art initiatives and special events. Elysium Project simultaneously raises funds and creates the infrastructure to ensure that medically disabled children have access to quality educational and therapeutic arts experiences.