Installation by Creative Native Miami
Magnus Sodamin // Ascension // 6ft x 6ft ( Courtesy of Primary Projects )
Axel Void // Baby // Oil on Linen
Aaron "Woes" Martin // Shadow Friends // Acrylic on Wood
Alex Torres // Untitled // Graphite on Paper
Jose Mertz // Hero of Nothing // Graphite on Paper
Axel Void // Corpse // Oil on Canvas
Alex Sweet // Vow of Silence / Soul Provider // Graphite on Paper ( Courtesy of Primary Projects )
Johnny Robles // Every Door Will Open Wide To Happy People Like You // Staged Photograph
Chris Brand // Hidden Dragon // Acrylic on Wood
Ancient Warnings // Acrylic on Synthetic Fabric and Urethane Plastic // Chickenhead Returns to the River - 27 x 68 - acrylic on paper & silk
Jose Mertz // Waterfall View // 5ft x 6ft // Acrylic on Linen
Hoxxoh // Gold // 8ft diameter
Ian Kuali'l // Old Man 1 & 2 // Hand Cut Paper and Mixed Media on Paper
Abstrk // Letter Structure 01 // Photograph
Mr. Ewok One // Prelim Postlim // Drafting Pencil on Paper
2 Alas x Don Rimx // Wrestling // Ink on Canvas
Recent Interview with Tropicult: LINK HERE
Press Release:
Miami, FL - June 18, 2015 – Thanks to Miami Spaces LLC / Alex Saa - Jose Mertz is pleased to present a self curated, independent group exhibition titled “Smack Grendels.” The exhibition will run from June 18, 2015 – July 15, 2015 with an opening reception the third Thursday of the month - June 18th from 7-11 p.m.
Showcased Artists: Magnus Sodamin, WOES ( Aaron Martin ), Jose Mertz, Rick ( Abstrk ) Mastrapa, Douglas Hoxxoh, 2 Alas, Chris Brand, Creative Native Miami, Axel Void, Mr. Ewok One (New York City ), Alex Sweet, Ian Kuali’i, Alex Torres, Don Rimx & Johnny Robles.
The majority of the works are inspired by myth, the Spirit and the “extra”- in ordinary life, depicted through intimate paintings, drawings and themes that each artist is passionately exploring and presenting in raw unapologetic forms.
Adopting the idea based off of the epic old English poem “Beowulf ”, the Grendel was a monster that evoked fear and pain in the town of Geats until Beowulf slays him and restores hope again in the
community.
The Grendel idea represents the mental barrier that keeps creators at bay, producing what is easily
digestible or even decorative in a commercial or gallery setting, misleading the people into a “safe” culture. This show- case is intended to break perceptions on how one depicts reality and the human condition explored through traditional visual communication. Art is NOT supposed to be “safe”. It’s supposed to punch you in the chest, make you feel a energetic charge of some kind. Wether it’s fear, fantasy or euphoria, you get through it feeling richer, alive and more victorious than you did before you perceived it.
The idea of presenting these celebrated artists in one collective I hope to inspire and provoke thought in the audience and leave them with some deeper insight to the function and power of art and how it can affect them in a personal way. Smack Grendels gives the audience a peek into these artists’ real lives, further unifying the community and culture.
###
Smack Grendels will be up for 1 month in Wynwood, Miami at:
219 NW 20th St. ( Inside the gated plaza )- Gallery times will be announced soon via
josemertz.com
For appointments or inquiries please contact Jose Mertz // Curator - Artist
T: 786.442.6557 /
E: mertz@josemertz.com
thank you.