Post by ken on Apr 1, 2014 15:00:56 GMT -8
Spoke Art is pleased to present GOLD, a solo show of new paintings by San Francisco based artist Serge Gay Jr. Following his successful solo exhibition last year at Spoke Art, Serge braves a new series of work that explores music and it’s effect on him as an artist and it’s larger toll on culture as a whole.
Each painting from GOLD individually addresses a different band or musical artist. Spanning across multiple genres and styles, Serge depicts musical icons who have either influenced him artistically or had some sort of personal impact on his life. From Bowie to Jay Z, Serge’s new body of work has a flowing melodic feel to it, indicative of whatever music influenced each painting’s creation. The trademark feverish surrealism still remains however each work has a poignant composition and style incredibly emblematic of whatever musical genre it stems from. Themes of lost love, identity and hope are depicted through the energetic brush strokes and eccentric whimsey rendered in his work.
On a more personal note, this new series emotionally time-travels through different periods in Serge’s life. Epochs of growth, happiness and heartache are all represented through the different musical stylings that carried him through developmental stages not only as an artist but as an individual. From the artist, “The inspiration for this show is music and why it’s played a role in my life as an artist. I’ve always wanted to make a series depicting musicians who, at some point made a big impact on my personality and my craft. Music was one of my escapes from reality and it motivated me to be creative during moments in my life when I’ve felt the highest high or my lowest low. Therefore I want to pay homage to those musicians who were the inspiration for a large portion of my work and have helped me to tell my own stories.” GOLD not only examines music and pop culture,but also it’s overwhelming effect on culture and artistic progress.
About the artist:
Serge Gay Jr. was born in Port-Au Prince, Haiti and has lived in New York, Miami, and Detroit before settling in San Francisco. Serge attended New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL and later graduated from The College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI. He has shown with Medicine Agency Gallery, The Barber Lounge, Gallery Bottle Rocket, 111 Minna Gallery, and was nominated for a Grammy for his collaboration with director Matt Stawski for Cee Lo Green's music videos "F*ck You" and "It's Ok". Serge is a graphic designer, fine artist and illustrator but he most identifies himself as a painter. As a third generation artist, art is in his blood.
GOLD opens Saturday April 5th at Spoke Art in San Francisco. The artist will be in attendance.
Spoke Art
816 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
spoke-art.com