FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2020
bG Gallery Reopens With Underground Art Star Mike Maxwell’s First Solo Exhibition In 10 Years
Complicated Contradictions offers visitors to see his self-curated exhibition, booking one-on-one tours with the artist and gallerists on July 2nd
Los Angeles, CA – Artist Mike Maxwell headlines bG Gallery in Santa Monica in solo exhibition Complicated Contradictions, the first reopening for the gallery since the start of the pandemic.
A long-awaited exhibition, this is the first major exhibition for Maxwell in 10 years. Maxwell has been highly respected in the underground art world since the late 1990s, when he worked as an artist assistant for Shepard Fairey. His art came into popular culture awareness after he created the portrait logo for the popular Joe Rogan podcast. His own podcast, “Live Free Podcast,” was an artist-interviewing-artist platform that saw over 100 episodes over a five-year span and featured the likes of Mike Giant, Anthony Lister, Ed Templeton, and many other prominent painters and creative types from the scene. In 2011, he and Mike Giant were featured in an art film titled “Working Class,” created by Jeff Durkin of Bread Truck Films.
For over 20 years, Maxwell has spent equal portions of time painting murals in the streets, drawing on train cars, and painting in his studio. His art is gritty yet mature, raw yet refined. His work is a mix of influence and experience from the street scene, to old school graphic techniques to old masters. Renaissance master, Albrecht Durer, as one of his primary influences.
Maxwell’s paintings are from the heart and void of any censorship or concern for mass affirmation. He is an unapologetic contrarian that is not afraid to speak his mind, which is evident in his body of work – a quality found in the purest of paintings. Whether shown here, anywhere else or not at all, these paintings would have been painted because painting for Maxwell is like air and water to the rest of us. This exhibition is a collection from the tap of Maxwell’s creativity. In an effort to showcase his art in the purest light, bG Gallery has given full creative reign to Maxwell to integrate his recent works into a one-of-a-kind exhibition. The result is an eclectic body of work with different clusters of themes coming together.
Careful consideration to public safety has been implemented by bG Gallery with this reopening to the public. Safety protocols and guidelines are in place, and visitors will experience the exhibition in tours of up to 5 people throughout the opening day on July 2 and by appointment for the remaining run of the exhibition. On these tours opening day on July 2, visitors will be guided by the artist himself, offering a unique reception experience and personal insight into the work.
Press and VIPs are invited to join for a preview with a light lunch and champagne prior to the event 1-2pm. Press previews are also available from Tuesday, June 30, onward by appointment.
The preview waiting list is currently open.
Details
Where: bG Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave. #A2, Santa Monica, CA 90404 (next door to the Bergamot Cafe)
Hours: Open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:30am – 6pm
Web: bgartgalleries.com Email: info@bgartdealings.com Phone: +1 310-906-4211
When: July 2nd – July 25th
Collector previews: Email to request: info@bgartdealings.com
Reception: Thursday, July 2nd from 7 pm to 9pm. Via Zoom code 3109064211
Tours of 5 people throughout the day from 3pm to book a spot: https://10to8.com/book/kpatkomqdtdlytmjog/
Art Gallery Reopening News Press Release
