RE:UNION

Curated by Jorin Bossen
Exhibiting artists include Emily Counts, McLean Fahnestock, David French, Kio Griffith, Luis G. Hernandez, Chris Kuhn, Gil Kuno, Michelle Jane Lee, Susan Lizotte, Christopher Mercier, Claudia Parducci, Jason Ramos, Alison Rash, Nano Rubio, Julia Schwartz, Jesse Standlea, Chris Trueman, and Grant Vetter

Over the past decade, Durden and Ray has been a driving force in the Los Angeles art scene. In that time, many members have contributed their expertise and work ethic to build it what it is today: a conduit for the exchange of art and ideas in Los Angeles and around the globe . 

With "Re: Union", Durden and Ray’s 10-year anniversary show, works by many former members of the collective will be reunited — some for the first time since leaving the group. Some members were a part of the collective for just a short time, while others were involved for many years. 

Co-founding member, Max Presneill, stresses that “Durden and Ray has given the power back to the artists to develop their careers with a sense of autonomy. With the collapse of mid-level commercial galleries, emerging artist’s have seen their opportunities to advance virtually disappear, so now more than ever it is important for artists to self-organize.” 

Former members of note include Grant Vetter, program director at Fine Art Complex 1101 (Tempe, AZ); Luis G. Hernandez, co-founder of the MexiCali Biennial; Jason Ramos, director of ESXLA (Los Angeles); Kio Griffith, who has exhibited at high-profile venues like the Museo de Arte Moderno Chiloé (Lagos, Chile), and Benizakura Art Annual (Sapporo, Japan); and Michelle Jane Lee, who has exhibited with Lane Crawford Gallery (Shanghai and Hong Kong) and Garboushian Gallery (Beverly Hills). 

Established in 2009 to get unrepresented artists into art fairs, Durden and Ray has since redefined itself as an artist/curator collective with the mission of bringing together artists and galleries from around the globe. Many members are represented by galleries but still find it necessary to approach various projects with a DIY spirit.