“The Informal is the opposite of the constructional quality of classicism – the age of kings, or clearly formed hierarchies.” – Gerhard Richter
American artists Geso and Poesia will be opening next Saturday 21st of february Un-Formal, a 2 Person exhibition at 886 Geary Gallery in SanFrancisco, California.
The exhibition will feature a new series of work embodying the concept of Un-Formal, work that according to the artists isn’t defined by historical or contemporary canon and exists as a hybrid of painting in its post-historical sense merged with their graffiti urban art history.
“Un-Formal – Is an idea of Not, An idea of nothing as it relates to Formal traditions of painting. For a Non educated or Self Taught artist who directly or indirectly decides to create work outside of traditional ideas of Painting or creating art.”
Both artists whom come from a Graffiti background yet paint with a contemporary spirit find themselves at a point of departure from their history as painters as their work embodies personal traits prevalent in both art forms. This new direction of painting reflects a point of overlap in their work that embodies a life of experiences in the street and Graffiti culture, yet choosing to paint non-objective work far from letterforms and traditional graffiti. Informal abstract elements of a historically traditional style are prevalent in their work, yet both artists are not part of any formal tradition of painting. Both artists have arrived at this point in their work through working with contemporary material and DIY processes of painting learned from painting in an urban environment. It is important to recognize the material nature of their process utilizing unconventional, yet modern materials to paint with. Oil paint is replaced with discounted Latex paint, stretched canvas is replaced with Masonite panels made of compressed wood Hybrids or hanging unstretched canvas, spray paint remains a key medium relating to the artists history. Un-formal is a fresh perspective at the crossing of contemporary and an emerging generation of contemporary/urban painters setting out to frame a new definition that is made from nothing, and inconsequential in a traditional sense.
Read the full press release here.
Author: Fran
Founder and editor of Urbanite. Street Art lover who after the finishing her MA thesis on the Mexican and Norwegian muralist movement in the 1920-50s, developed a fascination for street art and graffiti that eventually led to collaborations with different art blogs, including the creation of this one.
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