On Saturday, April 6th, downtown Los Angeles’ Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) will proudly unveil their next major solo exhibition from world-renowned Spanish painter and sculptor Okuda San Miguel, titled Kisses Between Universes, in the Main Gallery.

OPENING RECEPTION: April 6, 2024 | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

ON VIEW: April 6 – May 11, 2024
 
Okuda’s unique iconographic language of multicolored geometric structures and patterns on the streets, railroads and abandoned factories around the globe have made him one of the world's most recognizable street artists of today. His work merges elements of the 90s with social critique, and reflects on the influence of capitalism on the artist's life. Together, these elements invite reflection on the complexity of human relationships and contemporary society.

“Skull Mirror I” (synthetic enamel on wood, 31.5" x 31.5")

“Skull Mirror III” (synthetic enamel on wood, 31.5" x 31.5")

In this exhibition, the artist delves into the metamorphosis from the physical to the virtual world that his generation is experiencing through technology, which is transforming communication between people and their way of relating. Okuda’s new works address the transformation of communication in the digital era, where the visual representation of this evolution serves as a starting point for exploring interpersonal connection and the dichotomy between the traditional and the virtual. The kiss stands out as a symbol of this connection, addressing contemporary themes such as diversity and social challenges, like the impossible kisses (such as those denied to us during the pandemic) that represent the importance of human connection. Furthermore, it relates to the duality in facing faces, symbolizing diversity, and the lack of connection in contemporary society.

"Diversity Drips Over Cement Girl" (synthetic enamel on wood, 27" x 27")

Open to the public and free of charge, Kisses Between Universes is set to debut on Saturday, April 6th from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm in the Main Gallery, alongside a solo show by Chicago-based artist, illustrator, and toymaker Travis Lampe, titled Small Time Buffoonist, in Gallery 2. Both shows will be on view through May 11th.

Faces in Digital Landscapes II
 
About Okuda San Miguel:
Okuda’s distinctive style of geometric harmonies emboldened with intense colors can make his artworks feel like they’re from a parallel universe. In his work, rainbow geometric architectures blend with organic shapes, bodies without identity, headless animals and symbols that encourage reflection in artistic pieces that could be categorized as Pop Surrealism with a clear essence of street forms. His works often raise questions about existentialism, the universe, the infinite, the meaning of life, and the contradictions of society’s false freedom, showing a conflict between modernity and our roots; ultimately, between man and the same.

Corey Helford Gallery hosted Okuda’s debut U.S. exhibition, titled Mayan Renaissance (Apr. 2017), followed by another solo show, The New Digital Love (Aug. 2020), a mini-solo as part of the gallery’s four-artist show, Animalia (Aug. 2021), and I Don’t Wanna Be, I Am (May 2022) ─ an international touring group exhibition curated by the artist’s management team Ink and Movement.

About Corey Helford Gallery:
Established in 2006 by Jan Corey Helford and her husband, television producer/creator Bruce Helford (The Conners, Lopez vs. Lopez, Anger Management, The Drew Carey Show, and George Lopez), Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) has since evolved into one of the premier galleries of New Contemporary art. Its goal as an institution is to support the growth of artists, from the young and emerging, to the well-known and internationally established. CHG represents a diverse collection of international artists, primarily influenced by today's pop culture and collectively encompassing style genres such as New Figurative Art, Pop Surrealism, Neo Pop, Graffiti, and Street Art. Located in downtown Los Angeles (571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033) in a robust 12,000-square-foot building, CHG presents new exhibitions approximately every six weeks. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. For more info and an upcoming exhibition schedule, visit CoreyHelfordGallery.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. For available prints from CHG, visit CHGPrints.com.

571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

(310) 287-2340

All information contained herein courtesy and copyright Helford Gallery, republished with permission