Woodbury’s Nan Rae Gallery will presented an art exhibition featuring two accomplished artists: Luis Becerra and Michael Gonzalez, from Aug. 26 – Sept. 29, 2018.
Luis Becerra describes himself as a “political artist and muralist following in the traditions of Diego Rivera, Jose Clements and David Alfaro Siqueiros.” Sculpture, painting, drawing, and large scale murals all fall within the sphere of influence within his artmaking. Becerra’s murals are displayed in prominent locations throughout Los Angeles, including Arroyo Seco Regional Public Library in Highland Park and at El Pueblo De Los Angeles (Olvera Street).
The works in his collection are wall mounted abstract sculptures consisting of discards and remnants from various forms of media. Discarded innards that provide the lifeblood of analogue and digital platforms of entertainment and communication. These works by Becerra are visually poetic “mash ups” of a not so distant past.
Michael Gonzalez’ sculptural “exo-graphs” constructed with grounding braids used in industrial manufacturing reveal the duality between the beauty and horror of the natural world. These abstract forms utilize the visual language of drawing as mark making to flesh out distinctive characteristics of the natural world. This work implies a sense of weariness and dread amidst the general awe and wonder of the natural world.
Gonzalez has had a long and distinguished career as one of Los Angeles’ most influential artists. Early solo exhibitions at Piezo Electric NY (1986), Thomas Solomon’s Garage LA (1988), and Holly Solomon NY (1990) established his work as a critical component to Los Angeles’ emerging importance as a center for contemporary art. His work is in the permanent collection of MOCA Los Angeles, LACMA, the New Museum of Contemporary Art (NY), and other nationally recognized institutions.