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Arch:Angels – New Works by Meggs

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White Walls is pleased to present Arch:Angels, a solo exhibition from Melbourne-based artist Meggs, featuring new paintings and mixed media artworks. The opening reception will be Saturday, August 17, from 7-11pm, and the exhibition is free and open to the public for viewing through September 7, 2013.

Arch:Angels is part exploration, part celebration and part personal release about the roles of both the individual and the state in the currently uncertain social climate and economy of both America and Australia. This new body of work, produced during Meggs' (currently un-official) relocation from his home-town of Melbourne to the West Coast of America, continues his fascination with the role of super powers, heroes and duality. 

"During the time of creating this work I have been dealing with a lot of questions about place relocation, the pros vs. cons and the inevitable issues that one faces whilst dealing with bureaucracy like Immigration. It raises questions of borders, security and place in general; questions of when change is necessary and where this change might lead you. Citizenship and security is designed to protect us, but at what point is that too inhibitive of our creative freedom and experiences. It's an interesting time in social trend where both American and Australian policy and border security is under crisis and scrutiny. Incidentally, it’s also a time when pop-culture fascination with the role of heroes, particularly that of classic comic book super heroes is on the rise."

Part reference to mythological and pop-culture heroism, part reference to current social climate, Arch:Angels implies an ideological fall from grace and looming worldwide shifts of power and state. The idea of the hero, especially the inner torment they face, has frequently been an underlying inspiration throughout Meggs' work. The artist explores the ideals of traditional mores and gender roles in mythology and pop-culture, explaining, "This body of work is a very literal reaction to everything that’s been on my mind these past few months and directly references my comic book influences while exploring identity issues."

In Arch:Angels Meggs re-interprets, re-mixes and collages several of his favorite comic book frames and heroic characters, juxtaposing them with classically emotive gestures and iconic symbols both as a homage and an act of nostalgic obsession to the archetypes and artwork which has inspired him since childhood, where a fascination with the role of masculinity and heroes first began in the pages of Phantom comics, superhero cartoons and 1980's sci-fi fiction. With a mix of solid forms and painterly abstraction featuring heroes depicted in moments of vulnerability or distress, Meggs creates dramatic composition and dynamic textures which imply both aggressive movement and visible emotion. 

Meggs’ latest works exist as a continual visual search for that dial balance in life of order vs. chaos. “As much as this exhibition hints at the darker side of identity, it’s also a celebration of new experience and possibility,” the artist is quick to explain. “I feel that both my own personal life and society in general are at a turning point; and it is as exciting as it is scary to see which way things may turn next. So in the interest of not taking things too seriously, and remembering that art is to be enjoyed as much as it is scrutinized, I'd like to look atArch:Angels as a party to celebrate my new home. I missed America's (2013) 4th of July party, so let’s do it all again!"

 

 

David 'Meggs' Hooke, is a founding member of the renowned Everfresh Studio, a respected and unique collective of street artists known for large amounts of collaborative street work and aerosol murals, and recognized as one of Australia's most progressive and committed contemporary artists. Since entering gallery shows around 2004, Meggs has spread his street and gallery works to cities such as London, San Francisco, Paris, Tokyo, Hawaii and Hong Kong as well as hosting solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles and San Francisco. 

 

White Walls Gallery has worked for a decade to exist as the premiere destination for urban art in the Bay Area. Combined with the Shooting Gallery, this 5,000 sq. foot space is one of the largest galleries on the West Coast. Justin Giarla founded the gallery with a commitment to furthering the urban art movement, drawing directly from street art and graffiti culture. Named for its plain white walls, the gallery takes a backseat to the real focus: the work of our artists.

 

Media Opportunities: 

Interview with Meggs

Interview with owner/founder/curator Justin Giarla

High-resolution images available upon request

Artist ( Description ): 

Meggs

Venue ( Address ): 

White Walls Gallery

886 Geary Street

San Francisco, CA 94109

White Walls Gallery , San Francisco

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