Curator, Niki Livingston selected some works for Ground Control opening November 17th in Los Angeles at Seeline Gallery.

The Rhino Construction, 2011

Guerrero Gallery is pleased to announce its November 2011 group show. From organic landscapes of nature to cultural documentation pieces, the comprehensive collection of works for this show speaks to the gallery’s continuously expanding vision of presenting viewers with diverse works that are challenging and engaging.

Through this exhibition, the gallery builds upon its relationships with familiar artists and also introduces artists new to San Francisco and to the gallery. This month’s show will showcase works by Alexis MacKenzie, Amir H. Fallah, Cody Hudson , Dean Drever, Jovi Schnell, KC Ortiz, Kevin Earl Taylor, Marissa Textor , Michelle Blade, Mike LeSage,Paul Brainard, Ryan Travis Christian, and Stas Orlovski.

Featured in the project room is a body of works by Los Angeles artist Albert Reyes. Presenting works that diptych unique life experiences, this glimpse into his visual diary focuses on honesty and a natural passion for expression, all through Reyes’ signature cynically humorous approach.

Untitled, 44″ x 33″, 2007

PRIMAL UNION explores the idea that man and nature co-exist.  And one cannot survive without the other. In creating this repertoire of paintings for my current solo exhibition at Rebekah Jacob Gallery, I have concentrated on tribal communities.   Tribal communities, by choice or circumstance, have evolved at a pace independent of modern civilizations.  Therefore, the members of these communities have retained unique traditions and continue to practice a primitive lifestyle which interweaves their absolute being directly into the natural surroundings.  

Through gradual exodus out of the forests and into cities, humans have created a division between man and nature.  My work is a reminder that we are nature, and nature is indistinguishable from us.  Nature is certainly within us—we are governed by its laws, vulnerable to its chaos, shaped by its unpredictable forces.  

I want the viewer to think about how urban lifestyles dislocate societies from nature.  Are city habits good for the species…good for the self?   I am not campaigning for us all to retreat into the jungles and live the way of the Neanderthal.  It is my hope that these paintings might encourage us to remain considerate of an increasingly elusive future while making advancements in civilization with keen attention and respect to nature. 

I am excited to exhibit this body of work in Charleston .  Growing up in the Low Country, I have explored its receding forests, fished its sensitive waters, and been keenly observant of the Gullah roots, rhythms and rituals.   This land is the foundry for much of my inspiration as a visual artist, particularly in celebrating nature, earth tones and credence in the supernatural.  I continue to be grateful for Charleston’s support and look forward to bringing my work home. 

Watch the video profile:

Kevin Taylor from Pistil Films on Vimeo.