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Tag Archives: Usugrow

Previews: Usugrow – “Inkflow” @ Fifty24SF

Tomorrow night (October 4th) in San Francisco, Inkflow will mark the return of Usugrow to Fifty24SF after showing there in 2007 and participating in a group show with his Shinganist crew back in 2009 (covered). Along with presenting his Bay Area fans with his distinctive original work filled with ornate calligraphy and his recognizable skull motif, the Japanese artist will also be releasing a new book titled USUGROW: Works 2007-2013 in association with Upper Playground. Discuss Usugrow here.

Upcoming: Usugrow – “Ink Moon” @ Stolenspace

Later this week on June 22nd, the Stolenspace Gallery in London will be hosting a new solo show from Japanese artist Usugrow. Ink Moon will include a selection of originals, prints and an exclusive vinyl figure release – the Shinganist’s new Shingon Skull figure. We haven’t seen a large body of work from him since 2010 at the same gallery, but it looks like he is continuing to perfect his signature fusion of Japanese calligraphy and the LA “cholo” style graffiti. Discuss this show here. […]

Videos: Usugrow Artist Profile

Our friends over at the Backwoods Gallery recently sent over this video that they put together as an artist profile for Japanese artist Usugrow. If you remember, we covered the calligrapher and painter’s show at the gallery along with fellow Shinganist artist, Toshikazu Nozaka back in July of last year. Making good use of the time in Melbourne, some footage of Usugrow’s amazing script in the studio as well as on the streets was interlaced with an interview where he touched on topics such as his […]

Teaser: “Obey Your Master” Metallica Tribute Show @ Exhibit A Gallery

Fans of heavy metal and art will have a chance to attend a exhibition where their two loves get together for a rare intersect. Obey Your Master will feature a collection of artists (including Shepard Fairey, David Stoupakis, Shawn Barber, Usugrow, Paul Chatem, Chris Peters, Nathan Ota, Brian Viveros, Dan May, Sylvia Ji, and Travis Louie – seen above with a concept sketch of his zombie piece) who have each chosen a song from Metallica as inspiration for their art piece which will then be […]

Openings: Usugrow & Toshikazu – “Oriental Elements” @ Backwoods Gallery

Usugrow and fellow Shinganist artist, Toshikazu Nozaka recently reprised  their 2-man show at Melbourne’s Backwoods Gallery. Usugrow has again created a few new drawings combining flowing lines, skulls, stipple and a self invented caligraphy, and is still able to incorporate them in a new way that keeps his work fresh and progressive. Along with the original ink drawings, he also debuted a few new prints of his recent work, as well as a few framed pieces of his caligraphy. Toshikaizu, who is tattoo artist of 20 years […]

The Vader Project Auction Preview

When The Vader Project rolls into Los Angeles tonight, June 11th, it will be at the end of a long four year journey. The 100 iconic helmets, customized by many artists sure to be familiar to our readers, will be on display in Hollywood (6812 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles CA 90036) before they are auctioned off in Philadelphia at a Freeman’s auction. Also of interest to those in LA will be the the catalog available for sale and the signing event the following day, June […]

Openings: Usugrow – “Hasadhu, In The Night Before a Storm” @ StolenSpace

After curating a series of Shinganist shows, Japanese urban artist Usugrow opened his own solo show last week at the StolenSpace Gallery with a collection of paintings, figures, and photographs. This time, he brought along his alterego “Hasadhu”, a fictional character created by Usugrow to reflect his own thoughts, in a show that he describes as “a big storm which will engulf everybody around him and the process of making artwork as the calm night before the storm.” As always, Usugrow’s unique combination of the […]

Releases: Usugrow Prints

If you missed the Usugrow prints from the “Shinganist” shows (SF & London), here is your second chance.  Upperplayground is releasing six prints, each priced at $200 (cheaper than £180 at the shows although those were framed).  Check out the rest after the jump…

Openings: “Shinganist” Group Show @ Stolenspace

The Usugrow curated group show “Shinganist” made it’s way to the UK last night with an opening in London. Recently exhibited at Fifty24SF (covered), the paintings, sculpture and drawings of Bene, Mozyskey, Toshikazu Nozaka, Jun Kaneko, and of course Usugrow were on display at Stolenspace, exposing a new audience to these young artists from Japan. More pics after the jump…

Openings: “Celeritas” @ SURU

The motorcycle culture themed “Celeritas” show (previewed) and silent auction held last weekend at SURU in Los Angeles was a huge success, raising $66,000 for Riders for Health, a non-profit that funds the transportation of medical personnel to remote communities in Africa. The centerpiece of the show was a 2009 Suzuki Hayabusa customized by Barry McGee coupled with a mannequin draped in styling Darren Romanelli fashioned motorcycle leathers. Accompanying this were a series of custom helmets from Alex Pardee, Audrey Kawasaki (interviewed), Estevan Oriol, Futura, James Jean (interviewed), Joe Hahn, […]