Mexican-based artist Curiot, and his Philly-based colleague, Nosego, opened their two man show entitled Unknown Elements on 14th of December at Thinkspace Gallery in Culver City, California. Finding and teaming up two artists that don’t have a history of working together can be a big challenge for the gallery and curators, but collaboration was inevitable in this case. They proved that by putting up shows that blended two bodies of work into one, not only by painting a mural inside the gallery space, but also by creating a large public mural in Compton. Along with their works which were accepted great by the local and art lovers world wide, both artists released a print edition for the show, with one of the images from each artist.
Curiot aka Favio Martinez, heavily influenced by traditional Central and South American iconography, from symbols, spiritual characters and events, utilized different mediums in his newest body of work. Along with his colorful surrealistic imagery, consisting mainly of god-like creatures, sometimes in interaction with with other creatures or humans, sometimes on their own, the artist also incorporated wood, ropes, sand, stone, and other elements that can be found in traditional works around Central and South America. His characters are dressed in tribal costumes, covered with patterns, feathers, fur and jewelry, and can be more or less human-like, looking like a celebration or embodiment of nature and spirits. Sometimes they are shown active, while sometimes the artist likes to show what they are made of, what holds them together, or breaks them apart. These strong totemic images tell stories of humankind’s connection and dependence on nature, the ways modern life affects our world and the way we perceive it, and the ways people need gods and spirits in their lives.
Nosego aka Yis Goodwin is a Philadelphia-based artists whose imagination and creativity has no boundaries or restrictions. His work range from child-like doodles to photorealistic portraits or elements as well as abstract patterns or symbols. Mostly creating characters, the artists is often uses pop culture iconography such as familiar Disney-like elements involved in a surreal setting. By using so many different components, all blended into an explosion of a new forms, he is both creating a brand new image, and re-using familiar imagery. These visual Frankensteins can be beautiful, odd, funny or even scary. His newest characters are more colorful than ever, and are made of even more natural elements such as minerals, rocks, plants, bones, stars, space and literally parts or entirely different animals.
The show is on view until Dec. 21st, so make sure you pop by and see it in person if you’re in the area.
Photo credit: Sam Graham.
