Layered Works at Artspace Warehouse Los Angeles

Posted by: Artspace Warehouse

The artists' works on display in this nicely balanced, cohesive exhibition embrace the layering of images and materials in artworks. The exhibition focuses on the complexity and synthesis of layered works by artists Hilary Bond, Kati Elm, Paul Kirley and Raul de la Torre.

Complexity and synthesis is built up out of visual and material elements that work perfectly, layered one over the other. The featured artists approach the layering of imagery or materials on their artworks in diverse ways yet include similar relationships of energy, thought and reflection.

Los Angeles artist Hilary Bond describes her works as reflections of fantasy; containing themes of attraction and femininity, but not perfection. Literally layering the exact same or a reverse image of her muse, supermodel Kate Moss; Bond creates canvases that are at once disturbing yet compelling, or perhaps confusing yet mesmerizing. The work is beautiful without becoming cloying.

Berlin artist Kati Elm’s layers, sometimes literal and sometimes figurative, combine social awareness and pop culture with a sense of humor. Her use of classic comic and newspaper clippings give many of the artworks a very unique finish. Yet her real medium is not paint and wood, but irony. Even the structure of her works, from simple blocks of wood to upholstered panels and miniature magnets, reflects this.

California artist Paul Kirley layers photographic materials and acrylic on his structures, made of sinuously cut sections of birch plywood, hence suggesting a three-dimensional topographic model. By adding expressionistic strokes of paint and color, Kirley takes the photographs to another level, giving them a dreamy, romantic texture.

Barcelona native and Los Angeles resident artist Raul de la Torre repeatedly uses layer upon layer of paint stretched down the work and left to drip in gravity’s mercy. After seemingly eliminating his own handiwork in the layering of the paint he then hand embroiders a camouflaged amorphic form over it. Some of these lines crisscross to create what looks like Asian calligraphy whereas the overall looping form might resemble an exaggerated torso of a woman. In spite of the work’s complicated nature his simple application of the paint and mimicking thread still refers back to two of art’s most basic elements, form and color. The results are intriguing.

The layering process is individualistic, but it is not the technique that distinguishes the layered artworks, it is the mind of the artist who creates it. Layering expresses a subtle collection of thoughts brought into a correlation through the artist\'s eyes.

Artworks that are rich in layers of imagery provide a visual feast which the artist hopes will be a thought-provoking dialogue with the viewer. The exhibition runs through July 31, 2012.

Artspace Warehouse, one of the world\'s leading galleries for savvy contemporary art collectors, combines emerging US and European artists in this new exhibition, focusing on the layering of images and materials in artworks.

Artspace Warehouse specializes in affordable international, urban, pop, graffiti, photo and abstract art with galleries in Cologne, Zurich and Los Angeles. The price range typically varies from $200 to $2,000 and includes exclusive paintings by established international contemporary artists. The selection of artworks changes every week.

Artspace Warehouse | 7354 Beverly Boulevard | Los Angeles, CA 90036 | 323-936-7020 | info@artspacewarehouse.com | www.artspacewarehouse.com